Sophists Flashcards
1) Where and why did the need for public speaking originate?
a. Long ago, people used to communicate while sitting around a fire together. They would discuss ideas, experiences, tell stories, and settle disputes. “We have evolved as social beings, dependent for our survival and well-being on the quality of words that pass among us in public speech.”
1) Who were the Sophists and what did they believe (in general)?
a. To meet educational desires and needs, a group of teachers called “sophists” offered the first instruction in public speaking.
Aristotle’s definition of rhetoric
a. The ability to see the available means of persuasion
Corax
Established “reverse-probability argument”.
Implemented the idea that there could be contradictions to every argument
Gorgias
Created style, known as a nihilist because he did not teach virtue
Felt that morality was relative
Logos was a force that could be used combaitvely to persuade individuals to go against their own views
Thrasymachus
Because divine truth is unattainable, personal power should be emphasized
Prioritized delivery over content
If you sound confident and have a commanding presence, you will be successful in front of audiences
Protagoras
Man is the measure of all things
humanism
“If truth is human made through communication, then truth must be an uncertain, precarious product
no truth claim was sacred
Isocrates
Believed that those who spoke well were the natural leaders of society
Prepared his students to speak in court by criticizing them and making them give speeches in front of the marketplace.
4) According to the class readings, what was the motive behind the development of rhetorical theory?
People wanted to communicate with each other in a precise manner. They wanted to contribute to society through speech by sharing ideas and moving people to think.
What was Aristotles’ definition of rhetoric?
The ability to see the available means of persuasion
What were the eight aspects that Aristotle said each speaker should be familiar with? What does this imply according to our text?
nature of persuasion
your own culture
general needs and susceptibilities that persuasion can satisfy
immediate pressures, fears, dreams, and hopes that motivate particular audiences who must decide specific cases
Know how much the listeners like/trust you
Know all the details of cases, and strategies that might be used for and against different positions on them
Personal strengths and weaknesses
strengths and limits of the communication mediums of the time
7) What were the three main forms of rhetorical expression as classified by Aristotle? Give an example of each one.
Forensic Speaking: Used in Courts, Tell the story as you saw it, support your stories with evidence that makes the jury believe you. Talk about the character of people in the dispute. Deductive, drawing conclusions from the connections between general and specific premises
Deliberative Speaking: Used in Assembly. Seeks to mold the future, encourages control of our lives through careful planning. Inductive, people make decisions by considering what has already worked
Epideictic Speaking: Used in Ceremonies, meant to exhibit the speaker’s skill
8) What were the three theories of proofs that Aristotle advocated that every speaker/speech should contain?
Ethos: Personal Proof, perceived character of the speaker
Pathos: Emotional Proof, feelings of listeners
Logos: Substantive Proof, logical and factual testimony
What is mythos?
Patriotic feelings connected with legends, traditions, and faiths of the culture.
What did Cicero say was the ideal knowledge that each speaker should have?
To know culture, people, times, and worries of the time
