Rhetoric Society Quarterly Sep 2003

Quntilian's“Vir Bonus”and the stoic wise man

Arthur E. Walzer University of Minnesota

Abstract

Abstract Although scholars have acknowledged a Stoic influence on Quintilian, they have been reluctant to see Stoicism as providing the philosophical underpinnings of the Institutes. Against this scholarly hesitance, this essay argues that Stoic ideas are at the heart of Quintilian's educational program. Quintilian's ideal orator is the Stoic Wise Man with this difference: he is trained in Ciceronian eloquence. Furthermore, Quintilian's definition of oratory is based on the Stoic view of rhetoric as an essential science that enables the orator to meet the social responsibilities inherent in the Stoic ideal of the virtuous life.

Journal
Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Published
2003-09-01
DOI
10.1080/02773940309391266
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Topics
classical rhetoric rhetorical criticism public rhetoric
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Inabinet (2011)
    The Stoicism of the Ideal Orator: Cicero's Hellenistic Ideal
    Advances in the History of Rhetoric

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CrossRef global citation count: 12 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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