Rhetoric

Aristotle's Rhetoric is an ancient Greek treatise on the art of persuasion, dating from the 4th century BC. In Greek, it is titled ----- --------, in Latin Ars Rhetorica. In English, its title varies: typically it is titled Rhetoric, the Art of Rhetoric, or a Treatise on Rhetoric. Aristotle is generally credited with developing the basics of the system of rhetoric that "thereafter served as its touchstone", influencing the development of rhetorical theory from ancient through modern times. The Rhetoric is regarded by most rhetoricians as "the most important single work on persuasion ever written." Gross & Walzer concur, indicating that, just as Whitehead considered all Western philosophy a footnote to Plato, "all subsequent rhetorical theory is but a series of responses to issues raised" by Aristotle's Rhetoric. This is largely a reflection of disciplinary divisions, dating back to Peter Ramus's attacks on Aristotlean rhetoric in the late 16th century and continuing to the present.( wikipedia.org)

Aristotle (384 - 322 bce) Born in Stagira, in Greece, in 384 bce, Aristotle was a Classical Greek philosopher who wrote on multiple subjects, including and not limited to psychology, politics, ethics, economics, biology, music, theatre, government, and logic. Once in a hierarchy of famous philosophers, he was Plato's student, who was in turn a student of Socrates. Aristotle turned out to be one of the finest scholars of his time and his thoughts and treatises have had a profound effect on scholars ever since. His influence led him to be enlisted by the then king of Macedonia, Philip II, to tutor his son, Alexander, who would go on to become one of the greatest kings and conquerors of all time. Although not all of Aristotle's philosophies and doctrines have survived criticism down the centuries, it must be said that he was a trailblazer in his own right. A polymath who could hold a conversation or debate on any topic, Aristotle's influence is such that his ways of thinking are still implemented in one form or the other to this day. He has been depicted in multiple artworks across the millennia, and is without a doubt one of the cornerstones of philosophy as a discipline.