Why is rhetoric important; because we are emotional beings? Does the use of rhetoric hold us back from finding truth because because we hide behind perceptions that fit our agenda, are happy with lies that fill our lack of understand and force us to become stubborn towards a shift in the right direction? Rhetoric might be an important persuasive tool but does that make it a good one? I believe the use of rhetoric is as detrimental as it is beneficial. No tool is a bad tool until it is in the wrong hands. Hammers are crucial to building houses, fixing machinery and so much more but used by the wrong person they kill 400 people per year. Martin Luther King jr. used rhetoric to unite a nation in the fight against oppression of fellow human being; Adolf Hitler used rhetoric to unite a nations in the fight against fellow human beings. Rhetoric is a tool, use your tools wisely.
I completely agree with this, there are numerous examples throughout history of people using rhetoric for many different purposes. Rhetoric itself is just an object people can use. It's up to the person who uses it to decide if they want to use it in a good or a bad way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about rhetoric being used for different ways. I found it was very interesting how you compared it to a tangible tool. It helps the reader visualize how people can use rhetoric for good or bad.
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