Norms of Rhetorical Culture

Thomas B. Farrell

ISBN 10: 0300065027 / ISBN 13: 9780300065022

Published by Yale University Press, US, 1995

About this Item

Rhetoric is widely regarded by both its detractors and advocates as a kind of antithesis to reason. In this book Thomas B. Farrell restores rhetoric as an art of practical reason and enlightened civic participation, grounding it in its classical tradition-particularly in the rhetoric of Aristotle. And, because prevailing modernist world views bear principal responsibility for the disparagement of rhetorical tradition, Farrell also offers a critique of the dominant currents of modern humanist thought.Farrell argues that rhetoric is not antithetical to reason but is a manner of posing and answering questions that is distinct from the approaches of analytic and dialectical reason. He develops this position in a number of ways: through a series of bold reinterpretations of Aristotle's Rhetoric; through a detailed appraisal of traditional rhetorical concepts as seen in modern texts from the Army-McCarthy hearings to Edward Kennedy's memorial for his brother, Mario Cuomo's address on abortion, Betty Friedan's Feminine Mystique, and Vaclav Havel's inaugural address; and through a fresh appraisal of theories on the character of language and discourse found in contemporary philosophy, literary criticism, anthropology, deconstructionism, Marxism, and especially in Habermas's critical theory of communicative action.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780300065022

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Norms of Rhetorical Culture
• Publisher: Yale University Press, US
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300065027
• ISBN 13: 9780300065022
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 590 grams

About this title

Synopsis

In this gracefully written book Thomas B. Farrell restores rhetoric as an art of practical reason and enlightened civic participation grounding it in its classical tradition-particularly in the rhetoric of Aristotle. And because prevailing modernist world views bear principal responsibility for the disparagement of the rhetorical tradition Farrell also offers a critique of the dominant currents of modern humanist thought as seen in modern texts from works by Habermas to Václav Havel's inaugural address. "A distinguished treatise on the interface of philosophy rhetoric and communication. This is the most comprehensive scholarly and discerning discussion of the issues that lie at the crossroads of the philosophical and rhetorical disciplines that I have seen."-Calvin Schrag Purdue University "A magnificent study that addresses the significant developments marking the contemporary landscape of rhetorical thought and offers a fresh and important analysis in an accessible style."-Gerard A. Hauser University of Colorado "This book is a brilliant reconsideration of Aristotle's rhetorical theory as an orientation to contemporary practice. Thomas Farrell provides a well-crafted argument in lucid prose. . . . As provocative as it is refreshing."-Raymie E. McKerrow Quarterly Journal of Speech