Title: The rhetoric of Plato's Republic : democracy and the philosophical problem of persuasion /
Authors: Kastely, James L., 1947-
Year: 2015
Subjects: Plato.; Republic (Plato); Democracy Philosophy; Persuasion (Rhetoric); Philosophy, Ancient.; Democracy Philosophy; Persuasion (Rhetoric); Philosophy, Ancient.
Abstract: Plato isn't exactly thought of as a champion of democracy, and perhaps even less as an important rhetorical theorist. In this book, James L. Kastely recasts Plato in just these lights, offering a vivid new reading of one of his most important works, 'The Republic'. At heart, Kastely demonstrates, this text is a democratic epic poem and pioneering work in rhetorical theory. Examining issues of justice, communication, persuasion and audience, he also uncovers a seedbed of theoretical ideas within it that resonate all the way up to our contemporary democratic practices.
Contents: The Republic: Plato's democratic epic -- The elenchic victory and the failure of persuasion -- Glaucon's request for a persuasive argument -- Confronting obstacles to persuasion -- The limits of persuasion: the residual force of culture and the unruliness of desire -- The argument for philosophy -- A rhetorical account of philosophy -- Compelling a philosopher -- A genuinely persuasive defense of justice? -- The rhetorical office of poetry -- Philosophical rhetoric.