Rhetoric, the sophists, and the possible

1 September 1984

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Communication Monographs

Vol. 51 (3) , 215-226
https://doi.org/10.1080/03637758409390196

Abstract

This essay argues that the rhetoric of the Sophists exhibits a distinct preference for the world of possibility. As such, it is different from Aristotle's rhetoric, which privileges the world of actuality. After showing how this is so, the essay compares the sophistical and the Aristotelian versions of rhetoric by discussing their respective implications for language and persuasion. The conclusion reached is that the Aristotelian version, although textually and topically more complete, is not superior to but merely different from the sophistical.

Keywords

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit:

Heidegger and the Possible
Philosophical Studies, 1980
Gorgias et le pouvoir de la poésie
The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1973
Gorgias and the Psychology of the Logos
Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, 1962
Aristotle
Published by Columbia University Press ,1960
Meno
Published by Harvard University Press ,1924
Protagoras
Published by Harvard University Press ,1924