Chapter 1 Lecture 1: Rhetoric and Persuasion

Rhetoric has been closely concerned with the techniques for gaining compliance The long-standing association with persuasion has been at the heart of the conflict over whether rhetoric is a neutral tool for bringing about agreement or an immoral activity that ends in manipulation. ○ w Persuasion: We are all leery of persuasion. w Rhetoric's intimate connection with persuasion has prompted suspicion and interest. w Bad experiences as the object of someone else's persuasive efforts? Last time you were persuaded by a telephone solicitor? A religious advocate in an airport? A politician? ○ w You may feel irritated or drawn in by the appeal. w Persuasion is an important part of the world of work Persuasion has become astonishingly important to the economy. ○ Economics is rediscovering the importance of words The persuasion is vital for the exchange of goods, services, and monies. § ○ w We are persuaders in our personal relationships Making arguments, advance opinions and seek compliance from friends. ○ We do this without thinking we are doing anything wrong It is difficult not to persuade, we do it daily within interactions Influence friends or family members to adopt our political views. Argue the merits of a movie we like. □ We are that salesperson, religious advocate or politician. □ § ○ w Examples of Persuasion: S ports - Domain of physical competition not of verbal battles. Sports involve in disagreements about such things as the interpretation of rules, a referee's call, or which play to call. ○ Disagreements are settled by arguments and appeals of various kinds - aka persuasion. ○ Many of the rules governing a sport result from rhetorical interactions about such issues as how much violence to allow on the field of play. Example: the rules of rugby and soccer were formulated in order to transform informal agreements, which has permitted all manner of aggressive play, into defined codes that restricted violence. § ○ The rules by which athletes compete, came into being through rhetoric. ○ w Technical Field - Medicine Medical decisions often are made by one doctor in a rhetorical exchange with other doctors. ○ The decision-making exchange often is limited to technical issues such as the interpretation of medical data like the results of a blood test. § ○ Example: in medical dialogue we are likely to hear ethical concerns raised, the wishes of family considered and questions of costs evaluated. Patients have to be persuaded to take a particular medication, or allow doctors to perform a surgical procedure. § ○ • Romance - Personal Level Seeking attention of someone in whom you are romantically interested in? Might develop a case about own good qualities. § Words and actions take on rhetorical quality to build on case for own attractions. § Make choices about how to develop appeal § ○ • Efforts at persuasion marks many of our interpersonal activities. We persuade ourselves. • The internal rhetoric of "arguing with yourself" accompanies most of life's decisions, big or small. • Persuasion is an important component of our occupational, social, and private lives. • • The pervasiveness of persuasiveness Recognize that human beings are rhetorical beings. • • Rhetoric and Persuasion

Rhetoric has been closely concerned with the techniques for gaining compliance The long-standing association with persuasion has been at the heart of the conflict over whether rhetoric is a neutral tool for bringing about agreement or an immoral activity that ends in manipulation. ○ w Persuasion: We are all leery of persuasion. w Rhetoric's intimate connection with persuasion has prompted suspicion and interest. w Bad experiences as the object of someone else's persuasive efforts? Last time you were persuaded by a telephone solicitor? A religious advocate in an airport? A politician? ○ w You may feel irritated or drawn in by the appeal. w Persuasion is an important part of the world of work Persuasion has become astonishingly important to the economy. ○ Economics is rediscovering the importance of words The persuasion is vital for the exchange of goods, services, and monies. § ○ w We are persuaders in our personal relationships Making arguments, advance opinions and seek compliance from friends. ○ We do this without thinking we are doing anything wrong It is difficult not to persuade, we do it daily within interactions Influence friends or family members to adopt our political views. Argue the merits of a movie we like. □ We are that salesperson, religious advocate or politician. □ § ○ w Examples of Persuasion: S ports - Domain of physical competition not of verbal battles. Sports involve in disagreements about such things as the interpretation of rules, a referee's call, or which play to call. ○ Disagreements are settled by arguments and appeals of various kinds - aka persuasion. ○ Many of the rules governing a sport result from rhetorical interactions about such issues as how much violence to allow on the field of play. Example: the rules of rugby and soccer were formulated in order to transform informal agreements, which has permitted all manner of aggressive play, into defined codes that restricted violence. § ○ The rules by which athletes compete, came into being through rhetoric. ○ w Technical Field - Medicine Medical decisions often are made by one doctor in a rhetorical exchange with other doctors. ○ The decision-making exchange often is limited to technical issues such as the interpretation of medical data like the results of a blood test. § ○ Example: in medical dialogue we are likely to hear ethical concerns raised, the wishes of family considered and questions of costs evaluated. Patients have to be persuaded to take a particular medication, or allow doctors to perform a surgical procedure. § ○ • Romance - Personal Level Seeking attention of someone in whom you are romantically interested in? Might develop a case about own good qualities. § Words and actions take on rhetorical quality to build on case for own attractions. § Make choices about how to develop appeal § ○ • Efforts at persuasion marks many of our interpersonal activities. We persuade ourselves. • The internal rhetoric of "arguing with yourself" accompanies most of life's decisions, big or small. • Persuasion is an important component of our occupational, social, and private lives. • • The pervasiveness of persuasiveness Recognize that human beings are rhetorical beings. • • Rhetoric and Persuasion