Aristotles Teachings and Rhetoric

Aristotle’s Teachings on Rhetoric

Curtis D. Hudson

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Studies in Rhetorical Theory

Tanya King

2/14/2014

Aristotle’s Teachings on Rhetoric

The ability to persuade is a powerful skill that can help influence the developments of our lives, the conditions of the community, and the actions of society. However, people must possess advanced knowledge and superior skills to exercise rhetoric effectively and to successfully persuade people to agree with their opinions, take specific actions, and accept their notions of truth. Because rhetoric is a complicated concept that has such a strong influence on our species, many thinkers have attempted to describe rhetoric and identify the characteristics of using language for persuasive purposes. Aristotle provided an important explanation of rhetoric that elaborates on the features of rhetoric, the connection between rhetoric and dialogue, and the different essential purposes of rhetoric.

Aristotle was one of the most important Greek philosophers of Ancient Greece. Born in Stagira, Aristotle studied medicine and then traveled to Athens to study under the revered philosopher, Plato, at Plato’s Academy. Although Aristotle acquired superior thinking skills while training under Plato as a mentor, after Plato died, Aristotle emerged as a brilliant thinker and developed many innovative philosophical concepts that helped Greece flourish intellectually and that have had a significant influence on Western society. Additionally, Aristotle also perpetuated his profound ideas by tutoring Alexander the Great, for Alexander would inevitably help spread many of Aristotle’s teachings and many concepts of Greek Hellenistic thought while conquering various portions of the world (Aristotle). Although Aristotle wrote and taught ideas that addressed a diverse range of philosophical concepts, Aristotle’s teachings on rhetoric provide important guidelines that can help improve our ability to understand and...