Through reading James Herrick’s “The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction,” I was educated on the origins of rhetoric and the role it has played in shaping modern day society. I specifically was interested in the evolving roles that rhetoric has played throughout history, the historical impact of the sophists, and the arts of health.
Homer presented the thought that language serves three distinct functions in discourse: the heuristic function, the eristic function, and the protreptic function. The heuristic function in discourse, as defined by Herrick, is that of, “discovery, whether of facts, insights, or even of self-awareness.” I classify this function as somewhat of a mental shortcut by which people classify something according to how similar it is to a certain case. The eristic function, “draws our attention to the inherent power of language itself.” An eristic argument is competitive in nature and often leads to arguing simply for the sake of arguing. Finally, the protreptic function of discourse is, “the possibility for persuading others to think as they think, to act as they wish them to act.” This is the art of persuasion and the utilization of instrumental speech to get another to do what you want. It is easy to see how these functions of language (verbal) discourse laid the groundwork for the future study of rhetoric.
Throughout this reading, I found myself very interested in the sophists. The sophists were traveling teachers in ancient Greece that emphasized the improvement and development of the human mind, specifically through public speech and effective rhetoric. Upon completing the reading of sophists, I initially thought that played a very valuable role in educating the public against corrupt government. However, there was also quite a bit of controversy surrounding them. The sophists were paid, and while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it lays the groundwork for potential corruption through bribery. Through persuasive rhetoric, the sophists would essentially argue for whoever was paying them the most. It was also difficult, near impossible, to know who these people were or where they came from. The reading stated that they were a suspicious, “rootless” people. The sophists also did not distinguish a clear difference between opinion and truth. They essentially taught that all truth is relative to a specific individual.
My additional study of sophists led me to numerous articles about modern day sophists and the reoccurring influence of the sophists in society today. There are many clear parallels in advertising and public relations. The usage of persuasive rhetoric in these professions raises many ethical dilemmas. Many modern day politicians are also accused of selling themselves in a sophist manner. In ancient Greece, the sophists played an important role in challenging politicians and bureaucrats on behalf of the general public. It makes me very nervous that the “modern day sophists” (politicians) are now the ones in public office.
Plato introduced the idea of the Arts of Health and Sham Arts of Health. He illustrated the differences between practices of substance that are genuinely beneficial for our souls and bodies, versus “counterfeit” practices that are only superficially beneficial for our souls and bodies. In the text, Herrick uses the example of gymnastics being an art of health, while makeup is a sham art of health. I accept that practicing gymnastics as a way to improve your body is truth. However, I also believe that the effective utilization of makeup that makes one believe they are improving their body, then that is also truth (not a sham art). The first example that comes to my mind is from the movie “Space Jam.” At halftime of the basketball game, the Toon Squad are presented with a bottle of water that is labeled, “Michael’s secret stuff.” Upon drinking the “secret stuff” the Toon Squad immediately begins to play better. The water was clearly a sham art, but the very fact that the Toon Squad played better because they believed that they were ingesting a beneficial substance, makes the “secret stuff” a legitimate art of health, and therefore makes it truth.
Hayden Coombs 