Title
The Beginnings of Rhetorical Theory in Classical Greece,Used
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In this provocative book, Edward Schiappa argues that rhetorical theory did not originate with the Sophists in the fifth century B.C.E, as is commonly believed, but came into being a century later. Schiappa examines closely the terminology of the Sophistssuch as Gorgias and Protagorasand of their reporters and opponentsespecially Plato and Aristotleand contends that the terms and problems that make up what we think of as rhetorical theory had not yet formed in the era of the early Sophists. His revision of rhetorics early history enables him to change the way we read both the Sophists and Aristotle and Plato. Schiappa contends, for example, that Plato probably coined the Greek word for rhetoric; that Gorgias is a prose rhapsode whose style does not deserve the criticism it has received; that Isocrates deliberately never uses the Greek work for 'rhetoric' and that our habit of pitting him versus Plato as rhetoric versus philosophy is problematic; and that Aristotle 'disciplined' the genre of epideictic in a way that robs the genre of its political importance. His book will be of great interest to students of classics, communications, philosophy, and rhetoric.
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- Q: What is the main argument of 'The Beginnings of Rhetorical Theory in Classical Greece'? A: The book argues that rhetorical theory did not originate with the Sophists in the fifth century B.C.E, but rather emerged a century later, challenging the traditional understanding of its history.
- Q: Who is the author of this book and what are his credentials? A: The author is Edward Schiappa, a respected scholar in the fields of classics, communications, philosophy, and rhetoric.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book has a total of 240 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was 'The Beginnings of Rhetorical Theory in Classical Greece' published? A: The book was published on July 11, 1999.
- Q: Is this book suitable for students and scholars? A: Yes, it is designed for students and scholars of classics, communications, philosophy, and rhetoric.
- Q: What are some key themes addressed in the book? A: Key themes include the evolution of rhetorical theory, the terminology used by the Sophists, and the contributions of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.
- Q: Does the book provide any critiques of historical figures in rhetoric? A: Yes, Schiappa critiques figures such as Gorgias, Isocrates, Plato, and Aristotle, examining their contributions and the misconceptions surrounding their works.
- Q: What makes this book different from other texts on rhetorical theory? A: This book presents a revisionist perspective on the origins of rhetorical theory, challenging long-held beliefs and offering new interpretations of classical texts.
- Q: Is this book considered a valuable resource for understanding classical rhetoric? A: Yes, it is regarded as a significant contribution to the study of classical rhetoric and is likely to be of interest to anyone studying this field.