Jonathan Powell (ed.), Logos. Rational Argument in Classical Rhetoric. Bulletin of theInstitute of Classical Studies, Supplement 96. London: Institute of Classical Studies, University of London,2007. Pp. vii, 139. ISBN 978-1-905670-10-9. L24.00.
Présentation de l'éditeur
In the ancientworld Classical rhetoric and its practices raised major ethical doubts andquestions which have continued to affect – even to prejudice – our judgment oforators and oratory today. One of the key components of practical oratory wasrational argument. The six chapters in this volume examine different aspects ofthe role of rational argument in Classical oratory and rhetoric and its latertradition. Michael Gagarin discusses the role of argumentation in the works ofAntiphon, the earliest Greek orator whose continuous texts survive. ChristosKremmydas analyses the argumentative strategies in a political speech ofDemosthenes, the attack on the law of Leptines (Demosthenes 20). Two chaptersthen focus on Cicero: Jakob Wisse discusses Cicero's self-conscious use of logicalstructure and the ancient theory of the classification of issues (so-calledstasis theory), while Lynn Fotheringham examines Cicero's habit of ‘having his cake andeating it', i.e. running two incompatible lines of argument at thesame time. Peter Mack surveys the interrelation of rhetoric and dialectic inthe Renaissance, highlighting the importance of the latter and its influence onstyles of composition in English as well as Latin. Finally, Malcolm Heathdescribes a fascinating experiment in the teaching of ancient rhetoricaltechniques to modern students, showing that the study of ancient rhetoric canbe not only an interesting aspect of cultural history but also an effectivemeans of developing the ‘transferable skills' valued by today's employers.
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