Saving Persuasion : A Defense of Rhetoric and Judgment

In today's increasingly polarized political landscape it seems that fewer and fewer citizens hold out hope of persuading one another. Even among those who have not given up on persuasion, few will admit to practicing the art of persuasion known as rhetoric. To describe political speech as "rhetoric" today is to accuse it of being superficial or manipulative. In __Saving Persuasion__, Bryan Garsten uncovers the early modern origins of this suspicious attitude toward rhetoric and seeks to loosen its grip on contemporary political theory. Revealing how deeply concerns about rhetorical speech shaped both ancient and modern political thought, he argues that the artful practice of persuasion ought to be viewed as a crucial part of democratic politics. He provocatively suggests that the aspects of rhetoric that seem most dangerous--the appeals to emotion, religious values, and the concrete commitments and identities of particular communities--are also those which can draw out citizens' capacity for good judgment. Against theorists who advocate a rationalized ideal of deliberation aimed at consensus, Garsten argues that a controversial politics of partiality and passion can produce a more engaged and more deliberative kind of democratic discourse.

in Today's Increasingly Polarized Political Landscape It Seems That Fewer And Fewer Citizens Hold Out Hope Of Persuading One Another. Even Among Those Who Have Not Given Up On Persuasion, Few Will Admit To Practicing The Art Of Persuasion Known As Rhetoric. To Describe Political Speech As Rhetoric Today Is To Accuse It Of Being Superficial Or Manipulative. In saving Persuasion, Bryan Garsten Uncovers The Early Modern Origins Of This Suspicious Attitude Toward Rhetoric And Seeks To Loosen Its Grip On Contemporary Political Theory. Revealing How Deeply Concerns About Rhetorical Speech Shaped Both Ancient And Modern Political Thought, He Argues That The Artful Practice Of Persuasion Ought To Be Viewed As A Crucial Part Of Democratic Politics. He Provocatively Suggests That The Aspects Of Rhetoric That Seem Most Dangerous—the Appeals To Emotion, Religious Values, And The Concrete Commitments And Identities Of Particular Communities—are Also Those Which Can Draw Out Citizens' Capacity For Good Judgment. Against Theorists Who Advocate A Rationalized Ideal Of Deliberation Aimed At Consensus, Garsten Argues That A Controversial Politics Of Partiality And Passion Can Produce A More Engaged And More Deliberative Kind Of Democratic Discourse.

simon Blackburn - Financial Times

bryan Garsten's Fascinating Book saving Persuasion: A Defense Of Judgment And Rhetoric Explores The Long Traditions Of Attacking, Or Defending, Rhetoric And Its Place In Human Life.

In Saving Persuasion, Bryan Garsten uncovers the early modern origins of today's suspicious attitude toward rhetoric and seeks to loosen its grip on contemporary political theory. He argues that the artful practice of persuasion ought to be viewed as a crucial part of democratic politics. Against theorists who advocate a rationalized ideal of deliberation aimed at consensus, Garsten argues that a controversial politics of partiality and passion can produce a more engaged and more deliberative kind of democratic discourse. Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction: Persuasion......Page 16 I Against Rhetoric......Page 38 1 The Rhetoric against Rhetoric: Hobbes......Page 40 2 Persuading without Convincing: Rousseau......Page 70 3 The Sovereignty of Scholars: Kant......Page 99 II For Rhetoric......Page 128 4 Drawing upon Judgment: Aristotle......Page 130 5 Conviction and Controversy: Cicero......Page 157 6 Persuasion and Deliberation......Page 189 Notes......Page 230 Bibliography......Page 268 Index......Page 284