Renaissance Argument: Valla and Agricola in the Traditions of Rhetoric and Dialectic (Brill's Studies in Intellectual History, Vol 43)

This book presents a new interpretation of the two most innovative renaissance works on the use of language, Lorenzo Valla's 'Repastinatio dialecticae et philosophiae' (1439) and Rudolph Agricola's 'De inventione dialectica' (1479). Mack attempts to find a path through the controversies which have recently raged around Valla's work, acknowledging the originality and skill of his attack on Aristotelian logic metaphysics, but recognizing the inconsistency (and even the Aristotelianism) of his alternative system. Mack provides the first full commentary on Agricola's work in modern times, establishing its originality and coherence. Far from being a mere popularisation of Valla, 'De inventione dialectica' turns out to be one of the great texts of the Western rhetorical tradition. The book concludes with a survey of Agricola's influence on rhetorical thinking and practices of reading and writing, through print, the educational system, and such intermediaries as Erasmus, Vives, Melanchthon and Ramus. This Book Presents A New Interpretation Of The Two Most Innovative Works In The Renaissance On The Use Of Language, Lorenzo Valla's Repastinatio Dialecticae Et Philosophiae (1439) And Rudolph Agricola's De Inventione Dialectica (1479). Mack Attempts To Find A Path Through The Controversies Which Have Recently Raged Around Valla's Work, Acknowledging The Originality And Skill Of His Attack On Aristotelian Logic And Metaphysics, But Recognizing The Inconsistency (and Even The Aristotelianism) Of His Alternative System. Mack Provides The First Full Commentary On Agricola's Work In Modern Times, Establishing Its Originality And Coherence. Far From Being A Mere Popularisation Of Valla, De Inventione Dialectica Turns Out To Be One Of The Great Texts Of The Western Rhetorical Tradition. The Book Concludes With A Survey Of Agricola's Influence On Rhetorical Thinking And Practices Of Reading And Writing, Through Print, The Educational System, And Such Intermediaries As Erasmus, Vives, Melanchthon And Ramus.--book Jacket. Rhetoric, Dialectic And The Use Of Language -- Valla's Repastinatio Dialecticae Et Philosophiae -- Categories And Metaphysics -- Valla's Contribution To Logic -- Grammar, Rhetoric And Dialectic In Repastinatio -- Rudolph Agricola And De Inventione Dialectica -- Agricola's Topics -- Dialectical Invention -- Exposition And Argumentation -- Book Three: Moving, Pleasing And Disposition -- The Use Of Dialectic -- De Inventione Dialectica In The Traditions Of Rhetoric And Dialectic -- The Diffusion Of De Inventione Dialectica -- The Reception Of De Inventione Dialectica -- Erasmus And Vives -- Melanchthon -- Ramus -- Conclusion: De Inventione Dialectica In The Sixteenth Century. By Peter Mack. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 375-385) And Index. Preface ix I. Rhetoric, Dialectic and the Use of Language 1 II. Valla's 'Repastinatio dialecticae et philosophiae' 22 ΙII. Categories and Metaphysics 37 IV. Valla's Contribution to Logic 74 V. Grammar, Rhetoric and Dialectic in 'Repastinatio' 96 VI. Rudolph Agricola and' De inventione dialectica' 117 VII. Agricola's Topics 130 VIII. Dialectical Invention 168 IX. Exposition and Argumentation 190 X. Book Three: Moving, Pleasing and Disposition 203 XI. The Use of Dialectic 227 ΧII. 'De inventione dialectica' in the Traditions of Rhetoric and Dialectic 244 ΧΙII. The Diffusion of 'De inventione dialectica' 257 XIV. The Reception of 'De inventione dialectica' 280 XV. Erasmus and Vives 303 XVI. Melanchthon 320 XVII. Ramus 334 XVIII. Conclusion: 'De inventione dialectica' in the sixteenth century 356 Select Bibliography 375 General Index 387 Index to Passages from 'Repastinatio' 393 Index to Passages from 'De inventione dialectica' 394 This book studies the contributions of Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457) and Rudolph Agricola (1444-1485) to rhetoric and dialectic. It analyses their influence on sixteenth century education, and on Erasmus, Vives, Melanchthon and Ramus. It provides an introduction to the renaissance use of language.