Title
Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition: From Plato to Postmodernism,New
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What is the role of rhetoric in a civil society? In this thoughtprovoking book, James L. Kastely examines works by writers from Plato to Jane Austen and locates a line of thinking that values rhetoric but also raises questions about the viability of rhetorical practice. While dealing principally with literary theory, rhetoric, and philosophy, the author's arguments extend to practical concerns and open up the way to deeper thinking about individual responsibility for existing injustices, for inadvertently injuring others, and for silencing those without power.Challenging the traditional claim that Plato is the chief opponent of rhetoric, Kastely contends that he was its most sophisticated theorist. Plato, Sophocles, and Euripides, the author asserts, recognized an essential paradox: while urgently believing in the need for rhetoric in a world where injustice cannot be eliminated, they nevertheless regarded the possibilities of rhetoric with skepticism. Tracing the modern recovery of a skeptical rhetorical tradition to Jane Austen, the author argues that Sartre's work displays the incoherence within modernist thought on discourse and reveals the tensions between two strains of postmodern thoughtdeconstructionism and Marxism. Kastely concludes by showing how the rhetorical theorist Kenneth Burke has returned to the insights of classical rhetoric in order to balance a skeptical stance toward persuasion with a commitment to act in a world with persistent injustice.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition'? A: The main theme of 'Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition' is the exploration of the role of rhetoric in civil society, examining how it has been valued and questioned from historical perspectives, particularly from Plato to postmodernism.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The author of the book is James L. Kastely.
- Q: What types of works does the author analyze in this book? A: James L. Kastely analyzes works by writers such as Plato, Sophocles, Euripides, and Jane Austen to discuss the evolution and significance of rhetoric.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The binding type of 'Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition' is hardcover.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 304 pages.
- Q: When was 'Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition' published? A: The book was published on January 31, 1997.
- Q: What is the condition of the book being sold? A: The book is in new condition.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: This book falls under the category of Criticism & Theory.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of the book? A: Yes, this is the first edition of 'Rethinking the Rhetorical Tradition'.
- Q: What philosophical perspectives does the book discuss? A: The book discusses literary theory, rhetoric, philosophy, and the implications of these fields on social responsibility and injustice.