Thus rhetoric, it seems, is a producer of persuasion for…
“Thus rhetoric, it seems, is a producer of persuasion for belief, not for instruction in the matter of right and wrong ... And so the rhetorician's business is not to instruct a law court or a public meeting in matters of right and wrong, but only to make them believe.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Rhetoric persuades belief, not moral truth; its purpose is conviction, not instruction.
In simple terms: Persuasion influences belief, not rightness.
Key Takeaway
Question persuasive motives.
Themes
ethics
persuasion
truth
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- advertising
- legal arguments
Key Concepts
philosophy
rhetoric theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discern truth from persuasion?
- What responsibilities do speakers have?
A Different Perspective
May manipulate without moral grounding.