Week 3 - Aristotle's Rhetoric

Aristotle’s Rhetoric was an interesting dense and informative read. Although it was written some time ago it seemed very relevant to today’s society and directly related to events happening now. Over the two books, different terms, ideas and arguments where made to justify the reasoning and use of rhetoric. Aristotle’s made numerous arguments through the books in regards to rhetoric and his perception of the term.

One argument that stood out was his constant reference to men and their character. In part one, book one Aristotle’s writes, ‘man who makes a good at the truth is likely to make a good guess at probabilities (Aristotle, 1994).’ This statement followed theme throughout both books. Part two, book one, Aristotle’s wrote, ‘His character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion he posses (Aristotle, 1994).’ A remark that you can identify with in doing yourself and also watching others use rhetoric and being good at it, as it is apart of there character.

Aristotle also made arguments such as, ‘happiness as being desirable in itself and sufficient by itself (Aristotle, 1994).’ Remarks like these make you think how ahead of times Aristotle’s was whilst writing about rhetoric and how these two books are so relevant and relate to todays society. Aristotle’s also identifies three things that inspire confidence, to support his argument that ‘men’s character may be the most effective means of persuasion... (Aristotle, 1994).’ The three things Aristotle’s identified that inspire confidence are: ‘good sense, good moral character and good will (Aristotle, 1994).’ All these arguments put forward by Aristotle’s create a rhetoric that I think we can all relate to and understand.

Reference List:

Aristotle – translated by W. Rhys Roberts, 1004, Rhetoric,

http://classics.mit.edu//Aristotle/rhetoric.html, viewed 13 March 2014.