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Single Idea 1578
[filed under theme 19. Language / F. Communication / 1. Rhetoric
]
Full Idea
If relativism offers an accurate description of human values, then rhetoric replaces logos as the most fundamental human activity.
Gist of Idea
If relativism is the correct account of human values, then rhetoric is more important than reasoning
Source
David Roochnik (The Tragedy of Reason [1990], p.47)
Book Ref
Roochnik,David: 'The Tragedy of Reason: the Platonic logos' [Routledge 1990], p.47
A Reaction
Or putting it another way, logos (reason) becomes meaningless. I suppose, though, that a relativist can conduct conditional reasoning (but must belief in some rules of reason).
The
16 ideas
from David Roochnik
1571
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'Logos' ranges from thought/reasoning, to words, to rational structures outside thought
[Roochnik]
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1572
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In the seventeenth century the only acceptable form of logos was technical knowledge
[Roochnik]
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1573
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The hallmark of a person with logos is that they give reasons why one opinion is superior to another
[Roochnik]
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1591
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Unfortunately for reason, argument can't be used to establish the value of argument
[Roochnik]
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1592
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Logos cannot refute the relativist, and so must admit that it too is a matter of desire (for truth and agreement)
[Roochnik]
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1593
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Human desire has an ordered structure, with logos at the pinnacle
[Roochnik]
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1595
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Philosophy aims to satisfy the chief human desire - the articulation of beauty itself
[Roochnik]
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1596
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Reasoning aims not at the understanding of objects, but at the desire to give beautiful speeches
[Roochnik]
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1598
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We prefer reason or poetry according to whether basics are intelligible or not
[Roochnik]
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1599
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Attempts to suspend all presuppositions are hopeless, because a common ground must be agreed for the process
[Roochnik]
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1603
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Logos is not unconditionally good, but good if there is another person willing to engage with it
[Roochnik]
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1605
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Reality can be viewed neutrally, or as an object of desire
[Roochnik]
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1606
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You have to be a Platonist to debate about reality, so every philosopher is a Platonist
[Roochnik]
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1577
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Relativism is a disease which destroys the possibility of rational debate
[Roochnik]
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1578
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If relativism is the correct account of human values, then rhetoric is more important than reasoning
[Roochnik]
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1584
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Modern science, by aiming for clarity about the external world, has abandoned rationality in the human world
[Roochnik]
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