Ethos (or why should I listen to you?)
Kairos: The moment
Kairos
1. Exigence: What happens or fails to happen? Why is one compelled to speak out? 2. Persons: Who is involved in the exigence and what roles do they play? 3. Relations: What are the relationships, especially the differences in power, between the persons involved? 4. Location: Where is the site of discourse? e.g. a podium, newspaper, web page, etc. 5. Speaker: Who is compelled to speak or write? 6. Audience: Who does the speaker address and why? 7. Method: How does the speaker choose to address the audience? 8. Institutions: What are the rules of the game surrounding/constraining numbers 1 through 7.
1. Exigence: What happens or fails to happen? Why is one compelled to speak out? 2. Persons: Who is involved in the exigence and what roles do they play? 3. Relations: What are the relationships, especially the differences in power, between the persons involved? 4. Location: Where is the site of discourse? e.g. a podium, newspaper, web page, etc. 5. Speaker: Who is compelled to speak or write? 6. Audience: Who does the speaker address and why? 7. Method: How does the speaker choose to address the audience? 8. Institutions: What are the rules of the game surrounding/constraining numbers 1 through 7.
Every Person Realizes Lions Should Always Move Indoors
Three Categories of ethos
• phronesis - practical skills & wisdom
• arete - virtue, goodness (disinterest)
• eunoia -goodwill towards the audience
Phronesis
This moment in American history demands honesty and leadership. Ultimately we are all in this together. By working together, we can restore optimism in the
business community and grow this economy by controlling spending and enacting common sense
reforms.
John King -- Republican Member of Congress
AreteBut for those making more than $1 million — there were
236,883 such households in 2009 — I would raise rates immediately on taxable income in excess of $1 million, including, of course, dividends and capital gains. And for
those who make $10 million or more — there were 8,274 in 2009 — I would suggest an additional increase in rate.
My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government
to get serious about shared sacrifice.
Warren Buffett
Eunoia
If you could master one element of personal communications that is
more powerful than anything we’ve discussed, it is the quality of being likeable. I call it the magic bullet,
because if your audience likes you, they’ll forgive just about anything
else you do wrong. If they don’t like you, you can hit every rule on target
and it doesn’t matter.
--Roger Ailes
Jonathan Haidt
pronounced “Height”
Values
Care/Harm Fairness/Cheating
Liberty/Oppression
Loyalty/Betrayal
Authority/Subversion
Sanctity/Degradation
Liberals Conservatives
Code Grooming
Using terms, phrases,
allusions, and ideas that your
audience recognizes
Code Grooming
I don't want to say that Rick is
dumb, but he still uses UPVC in non-drainage
piping applications.
Dog Whistling
Using references that a general audience believes are innocuous but that
signal certain groups that you are one of them.
Dog Whistling
Mitt Romney, not one of us.
--Ad from President Obama
Dog Whistling
"We are part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage, ...The White House
didn't fully appreciate the shared history we have."
--Aide to Gov. Romney
Invoking an audience’s identity
Reminding the audience of a
particular role or membership.
Possible RolesParent/Child
American/NationalisticOccupation
The “Good” SideMale/Female
AgeEducation
Knowledgeable
Final thoughts
"According to Aristotle, rhetors can invent a character suitable to an occasion--this is invented ethos. However, if rhetors are fortunate
enough to enjoy a good reputation in the community, they can use it as
an ethical proof--this is situated ethos."
(Sharon Crowley and Debra Hawhee)