Abstract
Although much has been written about ancient rhetorical theories of example, few scholars have examined the subtypes of example contained in these ancient rhetorical theories. As a corrective to this scholarly blind spot, this article explores the lesser-known conceptual history of “comparison,” which Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian all theorize as a subtype of example. Taken together, their rhetorical theories suggest that arguments by comparison are hypothetical, contentious, indirect, interrogative, and frequently deceptive. Moreover, Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian all theorize comparison by calling attention to the persuasive artistry of Socrates, notably his use of arguments by comparison to provoke interlocutors without challenging them directly. Understanding and explaining these rhetorical theories of comparison is the primary task of this article.
- Journal
- Rhetorica
- Published
- 2014-05-01
- DOI
- 10.1525/rh.2014.32.2.148
- CompPile
- Search in CompPile ↗
- Open Access
- Closed
- Topics
- Export
- BibTeX RIS
Citation Context
Cited by in this index (0)
No articles in this index cite this work.
Cites in this index (0)
No references match articles in this index.
Related Articles
-
Rhetoric & Public Affairs Sep 2024Arthur E. Walzer
-
Written Communication Jul 2024Gateways and Anchor Points: The Use of Frames to Amplify Marginalized Voices in Disability Policy Deliberations ↗Sean Kamperman
-
Philosophy & Rhetoric Nov 2020Arthur E. Walzer
-
Advances in the History of Rhetoric Sep 2019Glen McClish
-
Advances in the History of Rhetoric Jan 2019James Fredal