To be Poetic nor Rhetoric
I do understand both Aristotle and Plato on their rhetoric. I would prefer to concentrate on what I see instead however. When Plato talks about great poets as “rhetoricians” I do understand from where he is coming from. Just the same with Aristotle when he defines rhetoricians as one who is able to see what is always persuasive and rhetoric as the ability to see the persuasive in any case. I do see, too an extent, that rhetoric is useful in outwitting the intended audience and in also concealing ones’ true aim.
In those regards I personally feel that the whole thing is disgraceful and disrespectful as well. A child will always be able to see particular behavior as disgraceful, disrespectful, rood, foolish, immature, ignorant, dishonorable, and plain stupid really. This whole concept of thinking that one is better than the other; that one is far more intelligent than the other; that one is “knows” more and “understands” more than the other regardless of any reasons given; this whole thing is really something that our society and so many of us have forged within our minds. Is this really growth, dignity, or even logical? What then ever happened to just being honest?
What of the rhetorical questions of the five W’s in questioning everything? In that aspect I would see it as the principles of exploring and learning about ourselves as well as each other. One very vital necessity of that however is the sincerity, straightforwardness, and willingness of noble intent and state of being that is always required when asking Who, What, When, Why, and even Where.
Rhetoric as a form of speaking and writing, such as story telling, finds it home. It remains far distant from both its principles and true nature when expressing one’s self “honestly”… Then again what Is rhetoric? What Is it’s true nature? What Exactly do both Plato and Aristotle mean? Could it just be possible that their intended message has been overlooked?
What of poetry? For matters of the utmost significance Philosophical Poetry with the five W’s in mind as one of it’s sets principle would be vital in the ever flowing pursuit of grasping such important matters. Plato mentions two things, the significant philosophical and interpretive challenges that poetry brings forth and Poetry as a kind of rhetoric. Tying that together with everything I mentioned before as a means of thinking honestly and in asking the better corrective questions allows me to acknowledge and agree with Plato on those two aspects. By those means I agree with both Plato and Aristotle or rather from what is written of them both than of what they really thought and meant. Even Plato’s comment on the clashes between the “comprehensive world – view” within philosophy and rhetoric is tied to my message.
Our methods our like The Arrow soaring forth towards the intent Red Target. Classifying everything while simultaneously separating everything causes us to focus immensely on the small red dot a few miles below the Red Target. So much so that rather than shooting straight, The Arrow swerves down towards that small red dot, hits right though it, and continue on completely missing the Intended Red Target. Had that Arrow followed through it would have Significantly gone beyond the focus of the small detail and more on the grasp of the Bigger picture. After all what is the intent of an Arrow?
I have also notice that there is a grave error in the enormous importance In the assessment of poetry. Along with Rhetoric, philosophy, and the like… Like Dylan Thomas states, “A good poem helps to change the shape and Significance of the universe, helps to extend everyone’s Knowledge of himself and the world around him.” (Dylan Thomas).
I will never agree with the misuse and current way that the rhetoric way is used today. One should always be straightforward in their means and even in the deception and intent in outwitting those who mean to cause great harm or peril should one also always remain straightforward. Our methods not only shape our minds and way of life but also make the difference in how our minds, souls, and bodies intertwine and grow with each other in our journey of forming ourselves, in our grasp of understanding, and our sight and aim of Knowledge.
On a last note, I do acknowledge both Aristotle and Plato as being truly great thinkers and Philosophers as well, among many other things. However, I still see that many of us today miss what they were trying to show all of us; they’re True Intent rather than what is actually taught at our many universities.