Question

The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote the Rhetoric, one of the most famous works on the art of persuasion. In the treatise, he outlines the main rhetorical appeals to an audience: ethos (author credibility), pathos (emotions), and logos (logic and reasoning). How does Mandela use these appeals to advance his argument? Use specific textual evidence to support your response.

Answer 1

Nelson Mandela used Aristotle's concepts of ethos, pathos, and logos in his arguments; he built credibility through his character, evoked emotions through shared experiences, and used logical reasoning supported by evidence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, outlined in his work Rhetoric the concept of rhetorical appeals such as ethos (credibility), pathos (emotions), and logos (reasoning) as the main strategies for persuading an audience. When analyzing how Nelson Mandela used these appeals to advance his arguments, one would explore examples of how he established his credibility (ethos), evoked emotions (pathos), and presented logical reasoning (logos) within his speeches or writings. For instance, Mandela often spoke of his qualifications and moral character to build trust with his audience (ethos), used emotive language and shared experiences to connect with listeners on an emotional level (pathos), and employed factual evidence and rational arguments to make his case (logos).