Well then, would not the rhetorical art taken as a whole be a certain leading of the soul through speeches, not only in law courts and whatever other public gatherings, but also in private ones, the same concerning both small and great things, and no less honored, with a view to what’s correct at least, when it arises concerning serious than concerning paltry matters? (261a, 68)
According to Socrates, speakers who are talented at the art of rhetoric are capable of making “the same things seem to the city sometimes good and then in turn the opposite” (261d, 69). Socrates also says that a rhetorician can “make the same thing appear to the same people sometimes just, and when he wishes, unjust” (261d, 68).
During this year’s Republican National Convention, Vice
Presidential nominee Paul Ryan gave a speech which came under fire from many
media outlets, even the conservative Fox News, for being filled with falsehoods
and misrepresentations.
One of the reported lies that Ryan told during his speech
involved Ryan criticizing President Obama for causing the closure of a GM plant
in Wisconsin. Not only did the plant close under the Bush administration, but
Ryan voted to spend federal money to support the factory. Ryan and the
Republican Party have criticized and vowed to cut federal spending.
Another example of Ryan’s ability to support both sides of an
argument is his statement that $716 billion was taken out of Medicare by the
Obama administration. However, the money was actually the amount of savings in
Medicare due to reimbursement. Not only did Ryan falsely accuse President Obama
of taking the money from Medicare, but Ryan’s own budget plan included the
savings as well.
Sources:
Kohn, Sally. "Paul Ryan's Speech in 3 Words." Fox News. FOX News Network, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
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