Truth and Oratory Prowess

Plato, in his Phaedrus, plays out an extensive conversation between Socrates and Phaedrus about the merits of truth versus good speechmaking abilities in regards to rhetoric.

After a typical Greek slur of philosophic pondering, Socrates arrives at the notion that it is not one or the other but both qualities that will make an orator great, or even viable:

"Until a man knows the truth of the several particulars of which he is writing or speaking, and is able to define them as they are, and having defined them again to divide them until they can be no longer divided, and until in like manner he is able to discern the nature of the soul, and discover the different modes of discourse which are adapted to different natures, and to arrange and dispose them in such a way that the simple form of speech may be addressed to the simpler nature, and the complex and composite to the more complex nature-until he has accomplished all this, he will be unable to handle arguments according to rules of art, as far as their nature allows them to be subjected to art, either for the purpose of teaching or persuading;-such is the view which is implied in the whole preceding argument. "

I apologize for the oversized quote, but this summation from Socrates of the afternoon's dialogue represents the conclusion that a balance must be struck between an understanding of the truth of the subject matter, as well as an understanding of the audience and a natural prowess in the ways of speech. Without both of these traits, a speaker will be hindered, says Socrates.

It is a common misconception amongst our society that rhetoric is the art of manipulation, a tool used solely to conquer other people's beliefs and turn them onto one's own, In fact, though rhetoric is no doubt a persuasive tool, truth plays a large role in its communication.

Socrates talks down on the courts, for example, for their total disregard to the truth in the name of "conviction." In many cases, he says, the parties would be better off to leave facts out of their orations all together. (Such as a weak valiant man who is charged with assaulting a strong cowardly man.) The courts, even today, are indeed an example of the fifth that can come of total disregard to the truth--a defense attorney will push his point with the greatest rhetorical gusto he can muster, even if he knows his client to be guilty of the most haneuous crime.

Truth alone, however, is of course not viable either. As writers and readers, we all know the beauty and sexiness that information takes on when dressed up in rhetorical lingerie. In order to convince one of the truth, or even your own interpretation of the truth, it is essential that you explain the truth in as beautiful of way as possible. Thus, as Plato says, good rhetoric is a narration of the truth, but with the flourishes of persuasive power, especially, as he points out, in areas where "the truth" can be debated.