Introduction
1. Is The Rhetoric a reaction toward Isocrates and the sophist?
2. What is the significance of the The Rhetoric?
Book One
3. Why is rhetoric the “counterpart of dialectic”? 1354a
4. Does this definition differ from other ancient rhetoricians?
5. What is his definition of rhetoric? 1335b.35.
1.) What are the limitations of this definition?
2.) Has this definition changed in the culture; in the academy?
6. What are the three types of rhetoric? 1358b5.
1.) What is Deliberative (Political) Rhetoric?
2.) What is Epideictic (Ceremonial) Rhetoric?
3.) What is Judicial (Legal/Forensic) Rhetoric?
Book Two
7. Discuss Aristotle’s triad of rhetoric. Why would this be helpful in the evaluation of current speeches? What is the liability of its use with speeches/sermons?
1.) Pathos
i. It is advisable pedagogy to arouse emotion (anger/fear/indignation) without its resolution?
ii. It is advisable pedagogy to teach without pathos?
2.) Ethos
i. What is his understanding of Ethos?
ii. Is it limited to character, or broadened to encompass credibility/ability. (Return to 1356a5).
3.) Logos
i. Was his emphasis the content of the speech or the development of logical argumentation?
8. Are these criteria by which we could evaluate our own classroom rhetoric?
Book Three
9. What stylistic choices of speech delivery would seem appropriate/inappropriate for contemporary rhetoric?
10. How applicable, in a contemporary context, is his warning against bad taste in rhetoric? 1406a
Applications
11. What influence does this work have on the contemporary pulpit?
12. How could it be used to train pastors?
13. How could it be used to train professors?
A Suggested Chart of Relations between ancient Rhetoric and the Contemporary Pulpit
Cicero De Oratore 55 BC
Governor of Cilicia 51-50 BC; would have resided in Tarsus
Apostle Paul II Cor. 2:1-5 AD 55-56
Warns against “persuasive words of wisdom”
Paul influenced by Cicero or sophistic rhetoric?
Augustine’s Book IV of De Doctrina Christiana 426 AD
Dependent on Cicero
Fenelon’s Dialogue’s 1715
Example of revival of ancient tradition and a dependence upon Cicero and Augustine in a modern homiletic
Contemporary Pulpit
1. The ancient tradition is more alive than one may realize.
2. Paul’s warning against the abuse of rhetoric directly “anticipates” present rhetorical schemes.
