Everything's An Argument Chapter 3: Arguments Based on Character: Ethos

Question 1

How does Aristotle define ethos?

Answer 1

Powerful argumentative appeal

Question 2

What do arguments based on Ethos depend on?

Answer 2

trust

Question 3

What are examples of professionals?

Answer 3

doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, religious leaders

Question 4

What are experts?

Answer 4

those with knowledge and experience

Question 5

What three elements add up to ethos?

Answer 5

credibility, authority. and unselfish or clear motives

Question 6

What do trustworthiness and credibility speak to?

Answer 6

a writer’s honesty, respect for an audience and its values, and plain old likability

Question 7

How can you establish trustworthiness (other than using logos)?

Answer 7

connecting your own beliefs to core principles that are well established and widely respected

Question 8

How can you make yourself seem approachable?

Answer 8

speaking to readers directly, using I or you or us, and using contractions or everyday or colloquial language

Question 9

How does one make their own ethos even more appealing?

Answer 9

by acknowledging their own failings, ironically bolstering their authority

Question 10

What does simply attaching titles to their name assert?

Answer 10

assert that they hold medical or legal or engineering degrees, or some other important credentials

Question 11

What questions go to the heart of ethical arguments?

Answer 11

Whose interests are they serving? How will they profit from their proposal?

Question 12

What is cancel culture?

Answer 12

the practice in online communities of seeking to silence those with whom they disagree rather than debate them