Stanley Fish is not a Sophist: The Difference between Skeptical and Prudential Versions of Rhetorical Pragmatism

Rhetoric Society Quarterly Oct 2012

Stanley Fish is not a Sophist: The Difference between Skeptical and Prudential Versions of Rhetorical Pragmatism

Robert Danisch University of Waterloo

Abstract

The essay argues that no substantial connection exists between Stanley Fish's work and the tradition of sophistic rhetoric. The purpose of this argument is to show that Fish's work undermines and weakens the development of a rhetorical pedagogy that focuses on the role of language in the formation of beliefs. I contend that Fish's book, Doing What Comes Naturally, is actually hostile to most forms of a classical rhetorical education and can only issue from theoretical grounds that misunderstand the rhetorical tradition. Thus this essay seeks to critically examine one of the foremost defenders of rhetoric over the last twenty years by contextualizing his work in classical rhetorical theory. Fish produces a thin account of rhetoric that disassociates the language arts from citizenship in contemporary democracies. Such a move shapes his highly disciplinary and epistemological understanding of the function of higher education.

Journal: Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Published: 2012-10-01
DOI: 10.1080/02773945.2012.724514
Open Access: Closed
Topics: rhetorical theory

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

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Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 6 works outside this index ↓

10.1017/CBO9780511552489

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Fish Stanley (1990)

Doing What Comes Naturally: Change, Rhetoric, and the Practice of Theory in Literary and …

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Dickstein Morris (1998)

The Revival of Pragmatism: New Essays on Social Thought, Law, and Culture

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Hariman Robert (2003)

Prudence: Classical Virtue, Postmodern Practice

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Mailloux Steven (1998)

Reception Histories: Rhetoric, Pragmatism, and American Cultural Politics

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Nussbaum Martha (1992)

Love's Knowledge: Essays on Philosophy and Literature

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