Rhetoric has a role in philosophy. The Rhetoric of Blair, Campbell, and Whately . Campbell and Whately refine and enrich classical rhetoric. As in classical times, rhetorical theory becomes the focus of inquiry. Burke reimagines classical rhetoric as a generalized theory of human and social interaction.
Rhetoric is at the center of social theory.
Jacques Derrida, Margins of Philosophy. In deconstruction, Derrida ratchets up rhetorical analysis to make telling points about the analysis of language. Rhetoric is at the center of philosophical inquiry. George Lakoff and Mark Johnson. Metaphors We Live By.