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Rhetoric

JCM

Muse
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
651
Can we discuss Rhetoric and the ambiguity of words in argumentation?

How can one use Logical Fallacies effectively in perception management?
 
Oh, my friend, you are unlocking a huge warehouse full of secret knowledge. I sincerely doubt we can cover even the most interesting bits.

Here is a taste:
"Reasoning was not designed to pursue the truth. Reasoning was designed by evolution to help us win arguments. That's why they call it The Argumentative Theory of Reasoning. So, as they put it, "The evidence reviewed here shows not only that reasoning falls quite short of reliably delivering rational beliefs and rational decisions. It may even be, in a variety of cases, detrimental to rationality. Reasoning can lead to poor outcomes, not because humans are bad at it, but because they systematically strive for arguments that justify their beliefs or their actions. This explains the confirmation bias, motivated reasoning, and reason-based choice, among other things."

That's from: https://www.edge.org/conversation/hugo_mercier-the-argumentative-theory where there is a nice video clip embedded discussing the Argumentative Theory.

My interest in rhetoric is as a commercial writer. My job is to cajole, inspire, motivate and persuade. We no longer call it rhetoric though. We call it purposeful communication. A sort of secret science, full of alchemical BS as well as useful techniques.
 
Oh, my friend, you are unlocking a huge warehouse full of secret knowledge. I sincerely doubt we can cover even the most interesting bits.

Here is a taste:
"Reasoning was not designed to pursue the truth. Reasoning was designed by evolution to help us win arguments. That's why they call it The Argumentative Theory of Reasoning. So, as they put it, "The evidence reviewed here shows not only that reasoning falls quite short of reliably delivering rational beliefs and rational decisions. It may even be, in a variety of cases, detrimental to rationality. Reasoning can lead to poor outcomes, not because humans are bad at it, but because they systematically strive for arguments that justify their beliefs or their actions. This explains the confirmation bias, motivated reasoning, and reason-based choice, among other things."

That's from: https://www.edge.org/conversation/hugo_mercier-the-argumentative-theory where there is a nice video clip embedded discussing the Argumentative Theory.

My interest in rhetoric is as a commercial writer. My job is to cajole, inspire, motivate and persuade. We no longer call it rhetoric though. We call it purposeful communication. A sort of secret science, full of alchemical BS as well as useful techniques.

Thank you very much

Socrates praised Rhetoric that was used in service of the good
 
Thank you very much

Socrates praised Rhetoric that was used in service of the good

Reading the Dialogues, you find him to be an excellent rhetorician. The pattern finds much use today in a question --> answer --> objection --> answer to the objection format. Of course, the chain is controlled and directed from beginning to end so that the objections raised have answers at hand. :)

I read somewhere that Kissinger used something similar to control Nixon. He'd (supposedly) offer up several options, allowing Nixon to make the decision, but carefully include flawed options so that Kissinger's preference stood out and was thereby selected. We see the same thing in review-style articles where products are compared, blemishes and all; the reader is expected to "work out" the answer intended all along. Very convincing when artfully done.
 
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Oh, my friend, you are unlocking a huge warehouse full of secret knowledge. I sincerely doubt we can cover even the most interesting bits.

My interest in rhetoric is as a commercial writer. My job is to cajole, inspire, motivate and persuade. We no longer call it rhetoric though. We call it purposeful communication. A sort of secret science, full of alchemical BS as well as useful techniques.

What can I do for you, marplots?
 
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