A maxim is a general statement about questions of practical conduct. It is an incomplete enthymeme. Four kinds of maxims. Maxims should be used (a) by elderly men, and (b) to controvert popular sayings. Advantages of maxims: (a) they enable a speaker to gratify his commonplace hearers by expressing as a universal truth the opinions which they themselves hold about particular cases; (b) they invest a speech with moral character.
maxims
Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.
Most common definition of rhetoric, widely used.
We may define a good thing as that which ought to be chosen for its own sake; or as that for the sake of which we choose something else; or as that which is sought after by all things, or by all things that have sensation or reason, or which will be sought after by any things that acquire reason; or as that which must be prescribed for a given individual by reason generally, or is prescribed for him by his individual reason, this being his individual good; or as that whose presence brings anything into a satisfactory and self-sufficing condition; or as self-sufficiency; or as what produces, maintains, or entails characteristics of this kind, while preventing and destroying their opposites.
The definition of a good thing.
We may define happiness as prosperity combined with virtue; or as independence of life; or as the secure enjoyment of the maximum of pleasure; or as a good condition of property and body, together with the power of guarding one's property and body and making use of them. That happiness is one or more of these things, pretty well everybody agrees.
The definition of happiness.
It is clear, then, that rhetorical study, in its strict sense, is concerned with the modes of persuasion.
But rhetoric we look upon as the power of observing the means of persuasion on almost any subject presented to us; and that is why we say that, in its technical character, it is not concerned with any special or definite class of subjects.
further defined
Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. This is not a function of any other art.
definition and distinction
Definition of pleasure, and analysis of things pleasant. -- The motives for wrongdoing, viz. advantage and pleasure, have thus been discussed in chapters 6, 7, 11.
definitions of pleasure and motives for wrongdoing
enthymeme
enthymeme |ˈenθəˌmēm| noun Logic an argument in which one premise is not explicitly stated.
Definition of rhetoric as "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.
we are in no respect superior to other living creatures; nay, we are inferior to many in swiftness and in strength and in other resources; but, because there has been implanted in us the power to persuade each other and to make clear to each other whatever we desire, not only have we escaped the life of wild beasts, but we have come together and founded cities and made laws and invented arts; and, generally speaking, there is no institution devised by man which the power of speech has not helped us to establish.
There's a TED talk about mirror neurons, neurons which allow humans to identify with and learn from the actions of others. The speaker credits these with the formation of human civilization and invention of language. In other words, the ability to communicate ideas, emotions, actions, and states of mind with others (rhetoric) may very well distinguish us from other living creatures.
http://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html
who devote themselves to disputation,(2) since they pretend to search for truth, but straightway at the beginning of their professions attempt to deceive us with lies?
He sees strong distinctions between different rhetoricians - the philosophers, educators, and court speakers.
Rhetoric, according to my view, is the ghost or counterfeit of a part of politics.
Rhetoric defined as trickery; Socrates sees nothing noble about it. Because it's target audience is the ignorant, and it's purpose is to engender belief rather than truth, Socrates seems convinced that rhetoric can do nothing but deceive.
GORGIAS: No: the definition seems to me very fair, Socrates; for persuasion is the chief end of rhetoric.
Rhetoric is persuasion
Then hear me, Gorgias, for I am quite sure that if there ever was a man who entered on the discussion of a matter from a pure love of knowing the truth
Philosophy = love of knowledge = rhetoric? (as per Socrates)
SOCRATES: Now I think, Gorgias, that you have very accurately explained what you conceive to be the art of rhetoric; and you mean to say, if I am not mistaken, that rhetoric is the artificer of persuasion, having this and no other business, and that this is her crown and end.
Restating Gorigas' definition of rhetoric
art of rhetoric; and you mean to say, if I am not mistaken, that rhetoric is the artificer of persuasion, having this and no other business, and that this is her crown and end. Do you know any other effect of rhetoric over and above that of producing persuasion
Defining rhetoric as persuasion.
it is not an art at all, in my opinion
Socrates denies Gorgias's definition of rhetoric as an art.
Rhetoric, according to my view, is the ghost or counterfeit of a part of politics.
Definition of rhetoric as politics.
that rhetoric is the artificer of persuasion
This is also how I defined rhetoric as well. As articulated ad nauseum in this piece so far, Rhetoric is all encompassing and has a part in many things. While I might disagree that it is all powerful in all things as is hinted at, it is always there.
Then rhetoric, as would appear, is the artificer of a persuasion which creates belief about the just and unjust, but gives no instruction about them?
Definition of rhetoric (2 - revised).
rhetoric is the artificer of persuasion
Definition of rhetoric (1).
rhetoric is the art of persuasion in courts of law and other assemblies, as I was just now saying, and about the just and unjust
Definition of rhetoric (2).
libido
object-instincts: sadistic (affection replaced by cruelty) Neurosis struggle b/t self-preservation and demands of the libido--the ego won over libido at the price of sever sufferings and renunciation