I shall never, for the life of me, understand how the word "Rhetoric" came to be "redefined" to mean "repetitious lies and false statements"... Rhetoric IS the art of discourse, wherein a writer or speaker strives to inform, persuade or motivate particular audiences about specific situations or on specific issues. Which is what "Discussion" is supposed to be all about. Seeking to inform and change minds. Aristotle was the consummate Rhetorician. With rhetoric as a counterpart (not counterpoint) to dialect it was neutral in aspect and deemed necessary to intelligent discussion. Rhetoric must always be "Proof-Centered and Pertinent" to the discussion.
But now they see it as something nasty...Like "Republicans spewing the same old Rhetoric" is meant as an insult. For over 150 years in this country we had professors in colleges teaching Rhetoric and how to have a civil discussion. How to present facts, logic and reason as a means to win over people and promote understanding. Now its treated like a dirty word. A concept so evil it must be banned!
One of the civil wars greatest hero's (Union), Colonel Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain of the 20th Maine was a medal of honor recipient. Which he won for his brilliance and gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a professor of Rhetoric at Bowdoin College in Maine. He later went on to become Governor for the State of Maine. I often wonder what he might think of all this?
Perhaps its the notion that someone can "discuss" something using facts, logic and reason that is so offensive to these people? Therefore the whole idea of Rhetoric must be an offensive concept and thus worthy of derision? Yes...this sounds like liberal ideology to me.
But, chances are, I will be accused of using "Rhetoric" as a put down. Well I will never take it that way. To me it will always be a compliment. Calling it "Rhetoric" is on a parr with calling any Semi-Automatic rifle an "Assault Rifle" because it will display just how little the offended knows about the subject to speak intelligently about it.
And thats entertaining to me!
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7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.When they use the word rhetoric (as in the conservative spouts the same tired old rhetoric) what they mean is partisan platitudes.
And what they really mean, is listen to our brand new tired old platitudes instead.
An_Ominous
Level 7
Mar 27, 2019
2
The left is constantly shifting definitions.
Everything is marketing
Take a dead term and re characterise it
. It's like they live off the "word of the day" desk calendars.
Kazzxtrismus
Level 3
Mar 17, 2019
2
I agree with the earlier responses, as far as they go, but I think there's more. There's an anti-intellectual faction that always promotes action over "mere rhetoric", whether or not the action taken moves you closer to your goal.
Think "Teddy Roosevelt".
Mike9465
Level 6
Mar 12, 2019
1
Those who rely on emotion to make their decisions never care much for rhetoric.
MarPep
Level 7
Mar 12, 2019
3
It is incumbent upon the parent to provide for the child an environment in which to safely learn control of his or her emotions.
Sadly many parents missed this class and their children grew up like a pack of wild dogs.
Many more taught the class ineffectively and then sent the child off to a leftist indoctrination camp disguised as a college or university.
You can't leave things half done if you want great results. Teach it, live it, every day.
When someone says “Republicans spewing the same old rhetoric” they mean is that what the Republicans are saying is neither new or interesting, and consequently not very persuasive.
The criticism is not that they are using “rhetoric” but that the rhetoric they are using is bad.
The phrase “empty rhetoric” is similar, as it implies that there is nothing substantive to what has been said and that it’s merely presented well. Which doesn’t mean much when you can see right through it.
InternetDorkWeb
Level 6
Mar 12, 2019
0
@MADcHATTER The word has not been redefined, it’s simply had negatory terms (same old, empty) attached to it.
It’s comparable to describing a song as “tuneless”. You’re not redefining the word ‘song’, you are saying this particular song has qualities that make it a bad song.
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