Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times

This book takes a look into how rhetoric — or more simply the art of persuasion — can help us navigate the present of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and political effectiveness in the face of its stagnating state. The very awareness of its existence is an issue, give that rhetoric has been a keystone in the canon of Western education for over 2000 years. Scholar of rhetoric Robin Reames argues that how this is something we all need to be more aware and mindful of. Reames will break down major rhetorical techniques explaining how politicians, journalists and “journalists” employ them to shape their reached audience’s opinion and subsequent political actions. By understanding these techniques, the reader will become better at avoiding being manipulated by forces that don’t have our individual and collective interests at heart as well as to have the insight to question and examine one’s own beliefs and ideological commitments more fully.