The powerful impact of language is something we are always aware of at a subliminal level, but only when its emotional impact either jars or enhances our sense of wellbeing (as in the case of our distraught conversationalist above) do we actually "feeeeel" its presence in our gut. In this section we will explore how language is intentionally used to mystify and confuse our thinking. In essence, what we'll be doing is analysing how words become powerful rhetorical devices used to persuade us of the truth of certain propositions. The goal here is to make you more sensitive to the content of structured and everyday discourse. Put simply, just because a holy man yells with great passion that, "Abortion is Murder!" does not mean that utterance ought to be allowed to stand on its own as a condemnation of the opposing view. It cannot stand in defense of the anti-abortion argument, for it is only anger and passion minus reason!.
The term 'rhetoric' comes from the Greeks and means, literally, "I say." The evolving democracy of ancient Athens demanded of its citizens an ability to speak cogently and persuasively so as to be capable of stating their cases in front of the tribunal.
Historically, it was the group of traveling teachers known as the Sophists who would teach the art of persuasive argumentation, or rhetoric. Indeed, it is these men who were often paid, much as we pay attorneys today, to speak the case for individuals on legal issues. The term 'sophist' lives today in the word 'sophistry,' which means the creation of the appearance of truth, in other words, rhetoric is a kind of linguistic illusion, smoke and mirrors with words. It was the philosopher Socrates who would eventually be executed for his attempts to refute the teachings of the Sophists.
As we begin our journey here, please keep this bit of history in mind . You should begin to discover how other's words can persuade you of their view (which might easily be false or a lie); even more incredible, pay close attention to how your own internal conversation echos and repeats the many conflicting "truths" its taken in which might be equally false. That internal conversation can damage and harm you if you haven't taken note of the parentage and truth value of the thoughts it mutters to you.
Don't hesitate now... grab yourself a sporty unicycle and FOLLOW THAT LIZARD! Learn how your speaking voice sets a destructive tape to running in your brain and what you can do to stop it.
...UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
