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![]() Rhetoric and Human Consciousness A History, Third Edition Craig R. Smith Creating a meaningful and engaging survey of the uses, definitions, and styles of rhetoric as it has evolved from ancient to present times would be a daunting task for most scholars. Luckily, for all who want to know about rhetoric’s intersection with diverse disciplines of thought, how it has guided human interaction, and its place as a powerful force in public affairs and education, the latest edition of Craig Smith’s Rhetoric and Human Consciousness provides enriching insights. His detailed, well-researched text maintains a balanced, in-depth analysis of theories, perspectives, people, and situations associated with various dimensions of rhetoric. The historical development of rhetorical theory, together with multiple examples, illustrates and highlights rhetorical themes and trends in philosophical, political, psychological, scientific, and religious thought and creativity. Smith argues that for almost every school of thought, another school of thought forms in reaction. From this perspective, he presents investigations of Greco-Roman, medieval, Renaissance, modern, existential, postmodern, and feminist thinking, examining the evolving definitions of rhetoric from myth and display to persuasion and symbolic inducement. He demonstrates that all of us use rhetoric to achieve higher levels of understanding when we communicate with others because it is crucial to decision making in an uncertain world. An elevated understanding of rhetoric helps us become better persuaders and critical listeners.
$41.95 list, 408 pages 10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-587-2 13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-587-8 © 2009 “Excellent. Good price, strong scholarship.” — Stephanie Bennett, Palm Beach Atlantic University “I very much appreciate this revised edition. It seems well laid out, comprehensive, and student friendly.” — D. Robert DeChaine, California State University, Los Angeles Table of Contents 1. An Introduction to Rhetoric Defining Rhetoric / What Is Theory? / A Situational Metatheory / A Case Study of Rhetoric in the Contemporary World / Conclusion 2. The Emergence of Rhetoric in Myth and Narrative Myth, Narrative, and Rhetoric / Myths and Metaphors / A Case Study: The Gospel Narrator / Essential Elements of Effective Narratives / Conclusion 3. The Greek Sophistication of Rhetoric from Thales to Plato Thales and the Naturalist School / Athenian Reform and the Rise of Rhetoric / Socrates and Plato / Conclusion 4. Aristotle's Rhetoric Ethos: To Be "Worthy of Belief" / Pathos: Frame of Mind / Logos: The Enthymeme and the Example / Style and Delivery (Lexis) / Organization (Taxis) and Form / Case Study: Genre, Style, and Webster / Conclusion 5. The Roman Rhetorical System Roman Nation Building / Rhetorica ad Herennium / The Stasis System / Cicero and Quintilian / Roman Theory of Style / Major Tropes and Figures / Case Study: Decorum in Shakespeare / Conclusion 6. The Fall of Rome and the Rise of Christianity The Augustinian Turn / The Medieval Period / Conclusion 7. The Renaissance of Rhetoric Venice, The Flourishing City-State / Florence and the Practice of Rhetoric / Other Theorists / The Protestant Revolt / Religious Intolerance / The Counter-Reformation / The English Renaissance / The Spanish Renaissance / Conclusion 8. Epistemology and the Modern Rhetorics Cartesian Duality and Humanistic Unity / Epistemology in Great Britain / Faculty Psychology and Rhetoric / Elocutionary Thought / Conclusion 9. The Existential Revolt against Modernism The Modernist Position / Existential Objections / The Existential Challenge / Conclusion 10. Identification, Dialectic, and Dramatism Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) / Carl Jung (1875–1961) and Jacques Lacan (1901–1981) / Karl Marx (1818–1883) / Habermas' Reform / Kenneth Burke (1897–1993) / Case Study of Subliminal Symbology / Framing Rhetoric / Conclusion 11. Context, Function, and Media Meaning in Context / Mediated Rhetoric in the Contemporary Era / A Case Study in Mediated Rhetoric: Murphy Is the Message / Conclusion 12. Postmodern and Feminist Theories Postmodernism: Oxymoron or Useful Construct / Feminism in the Postmodern World / The Feminist Critique as a Rhetorical Theory / Conclusion 13. Rhetorical Consciousness Rhetoric as Ontological / Rhetoric as Axiological / Rhetoric as Epistemic / Rhetoric, Governance, and Power / Conclusion Appendix: A Timeline of Events
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