A Meditation on Vulnerability in Rhetoric

Richard Marback

doi:10.1080/07350190903415149

Rhetoric Review Dec 2009

A Meditation on Vulnerability in Rhetoric

Richard Marback Wayne State University

Abstract

This essay argues that strong versions of rhetoric share with weak versions of rhetoric an aversion to vulnerability. Claiming that the shared aversion to vulnerability hinders a fuller articulation of a strong version of rhetoric, the essay goes on to argue for redefining vulnerability as a characteristic that enlarges rhetorical thinking. Vulnerability is described not as a weakness but as a strength, an attitude of care and concern that connects us to the world and to each other. The essay is written as a meditation and is meant to encourage the reader's active engagement with the argument.

Journal: Rhetoric Review
Published: 2009-12-22
DOI: 10.1080/07350190903415149
CompPile: Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access: Closed
Topics: rhetorical criticism
Export: BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

Zagacki et al. (2024)

Aporia in Barack Obama’s 2016 Dallas Police Memorial Speech

Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Diab (2021)

The Rise of the Arab Spring through a Sense of Agency

Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Hubrig et al. (2020)

Disrupting Diversity Management

Pedagogy
Riche (2017)

Toward a Theory and Pedagogy of Rhetorical Vulnerability

Literacy in Composition Studies
Uthappa (2017)

Moving Closer: Speakers with Mental Disabilities, Deep Disclosure, and Agency t…

Rhetoric Review

References (0)

No references on file for this article.

CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network → Build reading path →

A Meditation on Vulnerability in Rhetoric

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

References (0)

Related Articles