ΠΙΘ612: Theory of Argumentation – Logic and Rhetoric

The Module ΠΙΘ612 “Theory of Argumentation – Logic and Rhetoric” is one of the two elective Modules of the third semester of the MA "PNYX: Political History, Theory and Practice". The aim of Module ΠΙΘ612 is to provide participants with the tools to understand not only the foundations of a "persuasive" argumentation but also how this can be expressed in the form of a public speech. The driving force will be the structure, the identification and the reconstruction of arguments as well as the study of rhetoric as the “technê” of public speaking. Arguments are everywhere, but this doesn't mean that everything is an argument. Thus, the types of arguments will be studied, at a theoretical and practical level, while at the same time their evaluation in the context of various situations of our daily lives will be the main focus of our course. Public discourse includes arguments; a good argument guides reason, whether or not it appeals to emotion. The “technê” of Logic and the Science of Logic govern all the important aspects of our everyday speech. In addition, the Module will highlight issues of ethical and political dimensions of the communica­tive discourse. For this purpose, examples of public speeches will be studied, in order to examine the pillars that influence an effective speech.

• Part 1: Ancient Rhetoric, History of Logic, History of Rhetoric: Sophists, Plato.
• Part 2: Ancient Rhetoric: Aristotle, Stoicism, Ancient Rome, Cicero.
• Part 3: Logic and the Role of Arguments, Argument Evaluation, Language as an efficient means of communication.
• Part 4: Rhetoric today, Public Discourse, Political Discourse