Hey Matt,
As Rhetoric was my major (and my first true love), so I hope you don't mind
if I make a few quick notes....
> 1. Rhetoric is the art of self-expression. Originally rhetoric meant
"the
> art of speaking" and then "the art of writing," but these are two modes of
> self-expression. There are others, in fact, as many as you can think of
> that would express yourself. For instance, dance can be a mode of
> self-expression. In dance you are attempting to convey a some sort of
> message. Because of this there is a rhetoric of dance (albeit, it might
> look a little different than the speaking and writing kind).
---Actually, Rhetoric is most commonly thought of as the art of PERSUASION,
not simply "self-expression." Self-expression is far too broad a definition
of rhetoric, which is why you wind up with a absurd conclusion like "there
is a rhetoric of dance." "Self-expression" is a good definition of "art",
but rhetoric is a far narrower category. Consider that under your
definition, absolutely every last word, action or product of any person
would be "rhetorical." The Mona Lisa would be a work of rhetoric, as would
Beethoven's 5th... Here's a good rule of thumb, if you aren't trying to
convince or persuade an audience to adhere to a given proposition, you're
not functioning rhetorically.
>
> 2. Rhetoric aims at excellence. (ZMM, Ch 29) To be excellent in rhetoric
> is to be excellent in self-expression. "Duty toward self" is the efforts
> of self-perfection and excellence in self-expression is self-perfection,
> self-realization, self-assertion, self-articulation.
---Again, to be excellent in rhetoric is to be able to persuade or convince
a defined audience to give their adherence to an argument or idea (note:
this is not "sophistry" but rather a process of identifying and lauding
values) . "I feel happy today" IS self-expressive but IS NOT rhetorical....
the rest of your comments seem overly general and really have nothing to do
with the study of rhetoric. If you're really interested in finding out what
the study of rhetoric is about consult books by Chaim Perelman, Steven
Toulmin, Kenneth Burke, IA Richards, and of course Aristotle.
sincerely,
rhetor-Rick
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