Rhetoric: an Art and a Science

As we’ve discussed in class, rhetoric’s mere existence has stirred up controversy from the day it was introduced in ancient Greece. There are those who admire rhetoric as the “art of persuasion” and others that write it off as the “art of bullshit.” Many who oppose rhetorical strategy fear that speakers can sway audiences into agreeing with something they normally wouldn’t, making rhetoric inherently dangerous. However, how much responsibility does the audience have when it comes to identifying potentially malicious rhetoric?

Herrick’s quote touches on this idea of the duality of responsibility between speaker and audience, describing rhetoric as “the systematic study and intentional practice of effective symbolic expression.” In other words, rhetoric is both an art of language and a science of manipulation. A rhetorical speaker must understand the art of persuading his audience and his audience must understand the practical ways in which the speaker may be attempting to sway their opinion.

A great example from class is the speech given by George W. Bush in his address to the nation following the 9/11 attacks. A rhetorician can easily break down his speech into specific rhetorical devices that can be found in thousands of other speeches given throughout history. While Bush does not explicitly state it, his using the term “our” at the beginning of three consecutive sentences sets the tone for the address, expressing the need to come together as a nation during a time of tragedy. This rhetorical device is so common that it is practically a formula, part of the science behind rhetoric, but Bush’s idea is expressed in an artistic form. Bush was obviously benevolent in his intent to use this rhetorical device; he wasn’t trying to pull a fast one on his audience, he was using a subtle strategy to add grace and emotional drive behind his words. But these devices can also be used for malevolent purposes.

So, is rhetoric the “art of bullshit?” It certainly can be if the speaker is a bullshitter, but audiences must not allow themselves to be easily manipulated. Everyone is capable of critical thinking, and one of the most important skills in social participation is knowing when somebody is attempting to fool you. That’s why it is important to view rhetoric as both an art and a science: it is okay to feel persuaded by rhetoric, but it is important to understand the hidden blueprint behind those colorful words.