Kennedy, a leading scholar of classics and communications, has provided an uptodate, lucid translation which will make the rhetoric as well knownand as accessibleas aristotlespoetics. Although the treatises language, preoccupation with abstract categorization, and apparent detachment from the particulars of oratory might qualify it as a theory in our contemporary sense, for aristotle rhetoric. Kennedys aristotle, on rhetoric has many admirable features. Aristotle the art of rhetoric translation and index by w. Kennedy, a leading classicist and rhetorician, 12 this work is notable for the precision of its translation and for its extensive commentary, notes, and references to modern scholarship on aristotle and the rhetoric. If youve ever read aristotle, you know that he can be a tedious read.
His translation is most accurate, his general introduction is the most thorough and insightful, and his brief introductions to sections of the work, along with his. A theory of civic discourse by aristotle, 1991 online. The trio saw rhetoric and poetry as tools that were too often used to. As the authors point out early in chapter three, scientific ecology and the rhetoric of distance, the common assumption has been that scientific discourse exists somewhere outside the reach of everyday rhetoric. Kennedys translation also provides the most substantial commentary, and the most. This is a ne translatiow onf aristotle s rhetoric, with introduction and, notes appendices. Both alike are concerned with such things as come, more or less, within the general ken of all men and belong to no definite science. Killingsworth and palmer argue that science definitely has a rhetoric but it. Whats more, is that this text was essentially his lecture notes, so its not exactly cleanedup. A revision of george kennedy s translation of, introdution to, and commentary on aristotle s on rhetoric. Kennedy, one of the worlds leading scholars of ancient rhetoric, provides in this volume an english translation of four greek treatises written during the time of the roman empire but studied throughout the roman and.
These are the sources and citations used to research aristotle s on rhetoric. By the time you get to the first sentence of this translation rhetoric is an antisrophos to dialecticyou have ample evidence that kennedy is the ideal translator for this text. His translation is most accurate, his general introduction is the most thorough and insightful, and his brief introductions to sections of the work, along with his explanatory footnotes, are the most useful available. Aristotles rhetoric is a wonderful read, and one which is still highly relevant today.
Kennedy s translation is considered definitive, and this version is annotated well and easy to read especially compared to some of the other translations, like jebb, freese, and roberts versions. His works, about half of which have been preserved, treat of logic, metaphysics, natural science, ethics, politics, rhetoric, and poetics. His translation is most accurate, his general introduction is the most thorough and insightful, and his. A revision of george kennedy s translation of, introdution to, and commentary on aristotles on rhetoric. This bibliography was generated on cite this for me on wednesday, november 7, 2018. It should be noted that, despite the blurbs on the product page, the kindle edition is not the kennedy translation. One of the masterstrokes of aristotles thought on the subject is his teaching that rhetoric itself is not a productive art of making but. Rhetoric pronounced is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the capability of writers or speakers to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. Not until the 1990s did another major translation of the rhetoric appear. If you want to read aristotle s rhetoric, this is the way to do it. Kennedy has studied classical rhetorical for over three decades and he brings his knowledge of what rhetoric meant in the time of aristotle to his translation.
Aristotle, rhetoric, book 1, chapter 1 tufts university. Aristotelian rhetoric as such is a neutral tool that can be used by persons of virtuous or depraved character. His introduction gives an excellent overview of aristotle s work and is a. His sheer knowledge of aristotle and this work he must have spent decades on it is this book is obviously a classic to the field of rhetoric. It should be mandatory for businesses and computer science students. Press release religious text report software website 2. George kennedy s translation and his commentary are incredibly helpful, even amusing at times. It deserves to be the standard translation for decades to come. A theory of civic discourse 81 kennedy s aristotle, on rhetoric has many admirable features. Rhetor the speaker or writer or creator of an artifact, an artifact that is intended to persuade someone of something 2. On rhetoric paperback aristotle oxford university press. Page 166 youth is the age when people are most devoted to their friends or relations or companions, as they are then extremely fond of social intercourse, and have not yet learnt to judge their friends or indeed anything else by the rule of expediency.
Rhetoric, by aristotle book i part 1 rhetoric is the counterpart of dialectic. Corpus aristotelicus rhetoric and poetics by aristotle this treatise dates from the 4th century bc. If you want to read aristotles rhetoric, this is the way to do it. Aristotles rhetoric is a comprehensive treatise on the art of persuasive speech, which is useful in ones daily life and it will never be ou. Along with a shortened translation of aristotles rhetoric, hobbes also produced a number of other works on the subject. Its best known definition comes from aristotle, who considers it a counterpart. Apr 20, 2016 aristotles treatise on rhetoric imitates rhetoric as he understands it. On rhetoric book vaughan public libraries bibliocommons. Although today we pair the word rhetoric with such adjectives as mere and empty, aristotle regards rhetoric as. Aristotles rhetoric is widely read in english programs in western universities. Aristotle s rhetoric and its historical contexts and using the past in the present. I bought this book for a college rhetoric class, and its one of the few textbooks ive kept. It is based on the page numbers used in the prussian academy of sciences edition of the complete works of aristotle and takes its name from the editor of that edition, the classical philologist august immanuel bekker 17851871.
The basics of aristotles system of rhetoric had after that served as a touchstone influencing this art from ancient through modern times. Repeatedly, he identifies a feature of rhetoric and then illustrates it by the kind of argument he makes. Aristotle s rhetoric was the seminal work which was later revised by others including kenneth burke dramatism and toulmin argument model. The author died in 1929, so this work is also in the public domain in countries and areas where the term is the authors life plus 80 years or less. Kennedy s highly acclaimed translation and commentary offers the most faithful english version ever published of on rhetoric. It is the first new translation sinc thee 1930 ans d is aimed not only at. Kennedy s version of on rhetoric takes into account all of the latest scholarship on aristotle, using the most reliable texts available. On the term dunamis in aristotles definition of rhetoric. It features an introduction, along with two sections. Aristotles on rhetoric history bibliographies cite this. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Quarterly journal of speech george kennedy has taken on a difficult jobproviding a scholarly edition of the rhetoric that will also serve as a textbook for studentsand has succeeded admirably. Aristotle george a kennedy based on careful study of the greek text and informed by the best modern scholarship, it is the most faithful english version ever published of the book that first defined and organized the study of. The used copy i bought was in pretty battered shape, though.
In the name of letting rhetoric be, aristotle bequeaths us a question that, perhaps tragically, we cannot let alone. A theory of civic discourse by aristotle in epub, fb2, txt download ebook. Along with a shortened translation of aristotle s rhetoric, hobbes also produced a number of other works on the subject. Kennedys new translation of aristotles rhetoric for lac readers, i wont embarrass. Aristotle 384322 bc one of the two most influential greek philosophers, he studied under plato, tutored alexander the great c. The internet classics archive rhetoric by aristotle. Indeed, one could argue that aristotle s rhetoric provides the best means yet. A theory of civil discourse, translated by george a.
Rhetoric tool chest by steven strang rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. Let us now try to give some account of the systematic principles of rhetoric itself of the right method and means of succeeding in the object we set before us. The translation is not only clear and well written, reflecting kennedy s usual direct style, but further aided in clarity by preserving traditional sectional markings found in the standardized aristotelian corpus. Oct 10, 2019 as the originator of the word rhetoric, it is definitely important to know about his rhetorical theory. I received the george kennedy translation when i ordered the book. As the authors point out early in chapter three, scientific. Kennedys translation is considered definitive, and this version is annotated well and easy to read especially compared to some of the other translations, like jebb. Kennedy, a leading scholar of classics and communications, has provided an uptodate, lucid translation which will make the rhetoric as well knownand as accessibleas aristotle s poetics. Aristotle the art of rhetoric 4 rhetoric is the counterpart of dialectic.
Kennedy translation the question of rhetoric s potential continues to provoke. Ancient greece and rome aristotles rhetoric both recorded contemporary practice and sought its reform through fitting it into its proper category among the arts. But rhetoric we look upon as the power of observing the means of persuasion on almost any subject presented to us. Rhetoric freese wikisource, the free online library. Kennedy s subtitle in for his translation, a theory of civic discourse, hits the mark well. The best modern edition of aristotle is the translation by george a. Aristotles rhetoric stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Aristotles rhetoric was the first, systematic study of civic discourse. A theory on civic discourse 2007 oxford university press new york, ny. This viewisequally unaccepta ble to aristotle, for whom rhetoric isa tool. As george kennedy puts it in his authoritative translation of the rhetoric, aristotle was the first person to recognize clearly that rhetoric as an art of communication was morally neutral, that it could be used either for good or ill 1991, ix.
Im assuming i dont need to ask this question, but sometimes such details slip by us including myself and its hard to tell from your. Striving to convey a sense of aristotles distinctive way of thinking, kennedy. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the european tradition. Kennedy, a leading scholar of classics and communications, has provided an uptodate, lucid translation which will make the rhetoric as well knownand as accessibleas aristotle spoetics.
Now, it is of great moment that welldrawn laws should themselves define all the points they possibly can and leave as few as may be to the decision of the judges. Bekker numbering or bekker pagination is the standard form of citation to the works of aristotle. Kennedy s is a highly respected translation among rhetoric scholars. Rhetoric by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive.
Based on careful study of the greek text and informed by the best modern scholarship, the second edition has been fully revised and updated. Aristotle s rhetoric proposes that a speaker can use three basic kinds of appeals to persuade his audience. Go to the heart of the western tradition of civic discourse, and you find on rhetoric. Sharply contrarian on many subjects, hobbes, like bacon, also promoted a simpler and more natural style that used figures of. This text is explicitly directed to rhetoricians in english and speech departments. They say what virtually everyone in the field of rhetoric says that the leading, premier work is aristotle s rhetoric. Not only authors writing in the peripatetic tradition, but also the famous roman teachers of rhetoric, such as cicero and quintilian, frequently used elements stemming from the aristotelian doctrine. A primer for business rhetoric news ecommerce times. The progymnasmata were fundamental to the teaching of prose composition and elementary rhetoric in european schools from the hellenistic period to early modern times. Whats the clearest translation of aristotle s rhetoric. Kennedy and published in paperback by oxford university press in 1991. And, this claim hardly needs referencing as it is one that is considered common knowledge in these disciplines, but illustrative sources are provided. George a kennedy based on a study of the greek text and informed by modern scholarship, this second edition offers an english version of aristotle s on rhetoric. Rhetoric has been divided into the following sections.
This work is in the public domain in the united states because it was published before january 1, 1925. Whats the clearest translation of aristotles rhetoric. Sharply contrarian on many subjects, hobbes, like bacon, also promoted a simpler and more natural style that used figures of speech sparingly. Kennedy, a leading classicist and rhetorician, this work is notable for the precision of its translation and for its extensive commentary, notes, and references to modern scholarship on aristotle and the rhetoric. Aristotle defines enthymeme as a sort of syllogism 1. Aristotles on rhetoric history bibliographies cite. Kennedy s version of on rhetoric takes into account all of the latest scholarship on aristotle, using the most reliable texts available, and. Although aristotle was preceded by other greeks in discussing rhetoric, his was the first systematic account of rhetoric, and in many ways set the terms for the discipline for centuries to come. Aristotle s rhetoric has had an enormous influence on the development of the art of rhetoric. In the field of philosophy, platos view of rhetoric as a potentially treacherous craft has long overshadowed aristotle s view, which focuses on rhetoric as an independent discipline that relates in complex ways to dialectic and logic and to ethics and moral psychology. Preserved for modern times in the handwritten manuscripts of medieval scribes, aristotle s work was the one of the first first and one of the seminal works on rhetoric, influencing centuries of writers, scholars, and public speakers. Aristotle the art of rhetoric 9 moral purpose, a dialectician in respect, not of his moral purpose, but of his faculty.