Cathedral of Kairos:

Philosophy & Rhetoric Apr 2013

Richard Benjamin Crosby Iowa State University

Abstract

ABSTRACTTraditionally, kairos is defined by its transience. Scholars assume that in order to capitalize on the rhetorical power of kairos, a speaker must capture the “opportune moment” before it passes. This article makes the case that the kairic moment can be sustained indefinitely through the sacralization of physical space. Linking rhetorical theories of kairos as “God's time” to Mircea Eliade's discussion of “sacred hierophanies,” the article performs an analysis of the National Cathedral in Washington DC and concludes that rhetoric can circumvent traditional contingencies when deployed within kairic space.

Journal: Philosophy & Rhetoric
Published: 2013-04-01
DOI: 10.5325/philrhet.46.2.0132
Open Access: Closed
Topics: argument

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (2)

Myers (2011)

<i>Metanoia</i>and the Transformation of Opportunity

Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Crosby (2009)

Kairos as God's Time in Martin Luther King Jr.'s Last Sunday Sermon

Rhetoric Society Quarterly

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