Revisiting Edwin Black: Exhortation as a Prelude to Emotional–Material Rhetoric

Rhetoric Society Quarterly Oct 2016

Revisiting Edwin Black: Exhortation as a Prelude to Emotional–Material Rhetoric

Kevin Marinelli Davidson College

Abstract

This essay extends efforts to facilitate emotional–material frameworks of rhetoric informed by strides in rhetorical and biological studies respectively. Specifically, I examine Edwin Black’s theory of exhortation in light of neurological theories of affect, emotion contagion, and embodiment. I argue Black’s theory offers a prescient precursor to emotional–material rhetoric but also demands revision in light of recent advances in neuroscience. I present two claims. First, I argue emotionally grounded rhetoric can exhort emotional–discursive connections and preference judgments absent the need to convert emotional experiences into formal beliefs. Second, I argue physiological indicators are at least as important as verbal discourse in facilitating emotional exhortation. Finally, I conclude with some theoretical implications for the emotional–material study of rhetoric.

Journal: Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Published: 2016-10-19
DOI: 10.1080/02773945.2016.1151927
Open Access: Closed
Topics: body and rhetoric

Citation Context

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