September 6

I found the concept of stasis theory explained in Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students and exploring an argument from all angles very interesting.  I also found the idea of implied questions within or behind the major questions interesting.  It brought up the idea of what is really being said?  To use a example from the book as an example here; is the argument about a specific person and whether it is good for them to marry, or is it about the benefits or drawbacks of marriage in general?

Particularly interesting was the idea of exploring viewpoints other than those which would support the composer’s argument.  I found this point particularly interesting because I agree completely that in order to make the best possible argument it is important to understand the issue from all angles.  It is also important to know what the opposing side may say in order to refute your ideas so that you may potentially discredit or weaken these arguments.  Furthermore it could be important to understand the opposing side in order to weaken the major points of their argument in order to make your argument appear stronger.

The four questions of stasis theory were also interesting.  It seems to me if these four questions were used in an argument it would make it considerably stronger.  When the book talks further about the questions which support each of the four main questions it adds further depth to these concepts which already could potentially be powerful tools when making an argument.  I particularly found the question of quality of the four questions interesting especially when paired with the book’s example of someone taking alcohol from their alcoholic friend’s house.  Without deciding whether something is right or wrong an argument is useless, it cannot exist without a basis of some form of opinion.  When the book got into the questions behind the question of quality it was further interesting to consider what is right and wrong, what is better or worse, since most times there is really a moral gray area can one ever really know for certain?  Who decides what is right or at least better?  The individual?  Society?