The Art of Rhetoric

by Aristotle, Robin Waterfield, Harvey Yunis (Editor)

Overview

Few, if any, writers in history have made major contributions to as many fields of knowledge as Aristotle...

'If there are two definitive features of ancient Greek civilization,' writes Hugh Lawson-Tancred in his wide-ranging Introduction, 'they are articulacy and competition.' In the city-states oratorical competence was an essential asset for politicians in the Assemblies and Councils and even for ordinary citizens in the courts of law. In response, the technique of rhetoric rapidly developed, bringing virtuoso performances and a host of practical manuals for the layman. Yet if many of these were little more than collections of debaters' tricks, the hugely influential Art of Rhetoric has a far deeper purpose. It is here that Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) establishes the methods of informal reasoning, provides the first aesthetic evaluation of prose style and offers detailed observations on character and the emotions. 'Persuasiveness,' suggests Lawson-Tancred, 'becomes for the first time a systematic and even scientific exercise; it can indeed be taught, but only by a deep grasp of some of the most central features of human nature.' His fine translation makes freshly available an epoch-making work of literary criticism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198724254
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/01/2018
Series:	Oxford World's Classics Series
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	622,152
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC–322 BC) is, alongside Plato, who taught Aristotle, and Socrates, one of the most important figures in Western philosophy.

Table of Contents

The Art of Rhetoric - Aristotle Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Hugh Lawson-Tancred

Preface
Introduction:
1. The Importance of Ancient Rhetoric
2. The Historical Background to the Rhetoric
3. Rhetoric as Techne
4. Psychology in the Rhetoric
5. Style and Composition
6. The Rhetorical Legacy of Aristotle
7. The Translation

THE ART OF RHETORICSection One: Introductory
Chapter 1.1. The Nature of Rhetoric
PART ONE: DEMONSTRATIONSection Two: The Genres of Oratory
Chapter 1.2. The Definition of Rhetoric
Chapter 1.3. The Genres
Section Three: Deliberation
Chapter 1.4. The Province of Deliberation
Chapter 1.5. Happiness
Chapter 1.6. The Good and the Expedient
Chapter 1.7. Relative Expediency
Chapter 1.8. Constitutions
Section Four: Display
Chapter 1.9. Display Oratory
Section Five: Litigation
Chapter 1.10. Injustice
Chapter 1.11. Pleasure
Chapter 1.12. The Criminal Mind
Chapter 1.13. Crime and Punishment
Chapter 1.14. Relatively Serious Crimes
Chapter 1.15. Non-technical Proofs
PART TWO: EMOTION AND CHARACTERSection Six: Emotion
Chapter 2.1. The Role of Emotion and Character
Chapter 2.2. Anger
Chapter 2.3. Calm
Chapter 2.4. Friendship and Enmity
Chapter 2.5. Fear and Confidence
Chapter 2.6. Shame
Chapter 2.7. Favour
Chapter 2.8. Pity
Chapter 2.9. Indignation
Chapter 2.10. Envy
Chapter 2.11. Jealousy
Section Seven: Character
Chapter 2.12. Youth
Chapter 2.13. Old Age
Chapter 2.14. Prime
Chapter 2.15. Birth
Chapter 2.16. Wealth
Chapter 2.17. Power
PART THREE: UNIVERSAL ASPECTSSection Eight: Common Topics
Chapter 2.18. The Role of Common Topics
Chapter 2.19. The Topics of Possibility
Chapter 2.20. Example
Chapter 2.21. Maxim
Chapter 2.22. Enthymeme
Chapter 2.23. Demonstrative Common Topics
Chapter 2.24. Illusory Topics
Chapter 2.25. Refutation
Chapter 2.26. Amplification
Section Nine: Style
Chapter 3.1. Historical Preliminary
Chapter 3.2. Clarity
Chapter 3.3. Frigidity
Chapter 3.4. Simile
Chapter 3.5. Purity
Chapter 3.6. Amplitude
Chapter 3.7. Propriety
Chapter 3.8. Rhythm
Chapter 3.9. Syntax
Chapter 3.10. Wit and Metaphor
Chapter 3.11. Vividness
Chapter 3.12. Suitability to Genre
Section Ten: Composition
Chapter 3.13. Narration and Proof
Chapter 3.14. The Introduction
Chapter 3.15. Prejudice
Chapter 3.16. Narration
Chapter 3.17. Proof and Refutation
Chapter 3.18. Altercation
Chapter 3.19. The Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"In short, this translation from Waterfield builds on a series of readable and affordable translations from Oxford World's Classics and will no doubt prove valuable to both students and academics. Waterfield has given Aristotle his own colourful voice, if not an even more doddery one, which will prove both entertaining as well as informative to Oxford World's Classics' intended audience." — Will Coles, University of London, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

From the Publisher

The Striker rendering is cleaner, pithy, yet recognizable from the still understandable Frese translation.

Lutheran Book Review - Paul J. Cain

If you are lucky enough to be still in school or college and you have not read Rhetoric before, I strongly recommend buying this book and reading it cover-to-cover.

Pennsylvania Literary Journal