"The
contrasting views of Cicero and Quintilian about the aims of rhetoric and the
function of ethos are reminiscent of Plato's and Aristotle's differences of
opinion about whether or not moral virtue in the speaker is intrinsic and prerequisite
or selected and strategically presented."
source:
johnson,
N. (n.d.). ethos and aims of rhetoric. In A. Lunsford (Ed.), eassays on
classical rhetoric and modern discourse
According
to Aristotle, our perception of a speaker or writer's character influences how
believable or convincing we find what that person has to say. This projected
character is called the speaker or writer's ethos. We are naturally more likely
to be persuaded by a person who, we think, has personal warmth, consideration
of others, a good mind and solid learning. Often we know something of the
character of speakers and writers ahead of time. They come with a reputation or
extrinsic ethos. People whose education, experience, and previous performances
qualify them to speak on a certain issue earn the special extrinsic ethos of
the authority. But whether or not we know anything about the speaker or writer
ahead of time, the actual text we hear or read, the way it is written or spoken
and what it says, always conveys and impression of the author's character. This
impression created by the text itself is the intrinsic ethos.
Institutions,
public roles and publications also project an ethos or credibility.
Let us assume, for example, that The New York Times is a more credible source than the Weekly World News or the National Inquirer. And we usually assume that a person selected for a position of responsibility or honor is more credible than someone without official sanction. These expectations about credibility and ethos are occasionally disappointed.
Let us assume, for example, that The New York Times is a more credible source than the Weekly World News or the National Inquirer. And we usually assume that a person selected for a position of responsibility or honor is more credible than someone without official sanction. These expectations about credibility and ethos are occasionally disappointed.
Q.1 In your opinion using ethos in rhetorical style is best way of persuasion or how it is fair in persuasion? give your comments
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