Studies In Western Rhetorical Argumentation: Theories And Application

Argument is one of the most common, useful human communicative practices. It is done frequently—daily or hourly, by virtually everyone. But argumentation theory is a relatively new arena of scholarly pursuit which has its contemporary roots back in the 1950s. Not until the end of the 20th century did it assume a shape that is sufficiently definable so as to be considered a relatively independent sub-area endeavor. It is a virtually new field that has been created on the old foundations. Since Aristotle's time, there have been two basic ways to study argumentation. The first way is formal logic. The second way is rhetoric. This dissertation will take rhetoric in antiquity as an important background to studies of Western rhetorical argumentation theory.The study of argumentation has so far not resulted in a universally accepted theory. That means there is room for further research and exploration. Since the late 1950s the study of argumentation has gradually developed from a marginal part of logic and rhetoric into a genuine and interdisciplinary academic discipline in the west. The state of the discipline cannot be explained by describing one leading theory. It is characterized by the coexistence of a variety of approaches, differing considerably in conceptual breath, scope of horizon, and degree of theoretical refinement. However, the research of Western argumentation theory has not received sufficient attention in China. Such a situation should be changed, as the study of argumentation is very important to developing capacity for critical thinking and value judgments.This dissertation primarily adopts a qualitative research method, progressing logically with verbal description assisted by tables and figures where necessary. The methodology is qualitative, interdisciplinary and integrative in nature, interpretive and analytic in practice. Its principle of case study sampling has been employed in selecting representative texts from different orations. The theories involved are mainly from Western classical rhetoric, logical study, philosophy, cognitive psychology and so on. As to the rhetorical theory itself, the exploration is based upon classical Western rhetoric, supported by its contemporary research.This study aims at exploring argumentation theories from the perspective of Western rhetoric. Different from conventional views of argumentation which focus on law, logic and positivism and etc, the ongoing study seeks to understand argumentation as a special means of persuasion, through which people address and interact with each other in order to achieve temporary agreement on the issue under consideration. The discussions revolve around the following aspects: 1) redefining properly the key term of"rhetorical argumentation". Rhetorical Argumentation is a social activity which is perceived as an overall art of persuasion based on discursive efficacy and consisting of discourse strategies intended to make an audience adhere to a given thesis by putting forward a constellation of propositions justifying or refuting the proposition according to different theses, different genres, different communicative environments and different audiences'characteristics; 2) clarifying the essential function of rhetorical argumentation, this study points out that the essential function of rhetorical argumentation is persuasion; 3) elaborating the relationship between argumentation and logic, relationship between argumentation and rhetoric, and relationship between argumentation and informal logic; 4) illustrating the argumentation rhetorical proof -- enthymeme's characteristics; showing the persuasive power of enthymeme; 5) describing the role of rhetorical argumentation schemes in producing persuasion power in speeches; 6) rebuilding a tentative form of rhetorical aim-situation-oriented audience of argumentation.The present study attempts to understand speech from a new perspective with reference to diverse levels and dimensions of rhetorical argumentation, concerning process as well as product and effect of persuasion, involving the characteristics of rhetorical proof -- enthymeme, rhetorical argumentation schemes and rhetorical audience--aim based argumentation. The main purpose of the analysis and study is to prove the persuasive power of rhetorical argumentation, so that we can provide certain theoretical and methodological orientation for the production and consumption of speech in the future.The present study purports to make contributions to both argumentation and rhetorical theory, and also their applications in speeches. The originality is seen in the following three aspects. 1) New definition will be given to argumentation from rhetorical angle, focusing on its persuasive role and putting logos, ethos and pathos in this conception. 2) This study sets up a new category of argumentation scheme which is called rhetorical argumentation scheme. Such schemes include three parts: logos argumentation (i.e. argumentation based on induction, comparison, causal links and examples), ethos argumentation (i.e. argumentation by appeal to the reputation of oneself or a third person) and pathos argumentation (i.e. argumentation by appeal to the popularity and mercy). The last two have long been neglected in other fields of study, and even have been considered as fallacies. This study highlights the compelling persuasion power and the decisive role of long-neglected rhetorical argumentation in a speech. 3) This study sets up its own category of aim-oriented audience and situation-oriented audience. Its response to Perelman's argumentation theory is to analyze the universal audience and the confusion of universal audience. The construction of aim-situation-oriented audience of argument may cast a new light on the category of audience.It is envisaged that the exploration of rhetorical argumentation may provide theoretical reference for the improvement of existing Western argumentation theory research and for the construction of new rhetorical argumentation theory in China. The research will also serve as a theoretical guide in both argumentation teaching and critical thinking teaching, and may offer help to applied areas such as speech making and so on.