Revisiting the Rhetorical Tradition and Acquainting Ourselves with the Virtuous Orator

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter starts taking inventory of the building blocks for a virtue perspective, by drawing on the classical tradition. The view of rhetoric as an integral part of public life is introduced and the rhetorical teachings of Isocrates, Quintilian, and Cicero are discussed, with particular focus on the virtue ethics they develop and how they can aid constructive analysis of present-day issues.