Reading Blog 5

ARCS Ch. 6 and RT pp. 429-449 & 450-485

Ethos
Suggestions of character are very persuasive.  Throughout history these community assessments of character or reputation to build effective arguments.  For ancient rhetoricians, character held three important senses, 'the pattern of behavior or personality, moral strength, self-discipline and fortitude; and a good reputation.  Since contemporary discourse often uses large audiences where the speaker doesn't necessarily know who the main focus of audience is.  I think ethos is a very effective argument appeal still today.  Many audiences respond very well to people they relate to and whom they respect.  If a speaker was able to build a strong reputation in a valid field, they will be very effective rhetoricians based on their character alone.  I think this is incredibly important in many careers today.

Augustine
I find it interesting how scholars disagreed with Augustine in following Plato and Cicero.  Augustine insists that wisdom is more important than eloquence, which is very similar to Plato's views.  He also said that many could imitate eloquence without any rhetorical training.  Augustine came to the conclusion that language is only a means to the final contemplation of divine truth.  It seems to me that so many ancient rhetoricians would have similar philosophies, but each one we come across in the readings seems to have a different view of effective rhetoric.  And, each rhetoric theory seems to still be relevant in today's society in some ways.  It is almost as if they all planned to have their arguments compiled and ready for the future.