Conception Quote by Richard Whately
“Of Rhetoric various definitions have been given by different writers; who, however, seem not so much to have disagreed in their conceptions of the nature of the same thing, as to have had different things in view while they employed the same term.”
About This Quote
Rhetoric is a single term used by writers to discuss different phenomena, leading to apparent disagreement that is actually about distinct objects.
In simple terms: Same term, different referents
Key Takeaway
Clarity requires defining the object of discussion
Themes
language
philosophy
communication
semantics
interpretation
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
observation
theoretical
When to use this quote
- academic debates
- teaching rhetoric
- cross‑disciplinary research
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
terminology
conceptual analysis
Practical Applications
- clarify definitions in scholarly work
- design curricula that distinguish rhetorical concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shared terminology obscure underlying differences?
- What methods can ensure participants discuss the same object?
![“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life of our father.' [...] Even after a couple of brandies he felt extremely reluctant to discuss sex and his father. 'It's something I'd rather not think about,' he said. 'We all come into…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/280/john-mortimer-7362_immaculate-conceptio_take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-m_4946.jpg)
