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- Title
The Consolation of the Topics: Boethius, Dialectic, and a Christian Rhetorical Theory.
- Authors
Tapsak, Natalia E.; Wachs, Anthony M.
- Abstract
In response to an era defined by narrative contention and polarized communication, an increasing number of scholars have called for renewed attention to a Christian rhetorical theory. Such a theory would have to enable the Christian rhetor to articulate the definitive goods and values promoted by a Christian narrative, to identify points of difference with competing narratives, and to ground argument within philosophical reasoning that engages universal and transcendent truths. Therefore, this article suggests that a vibrant Christian rhetorical theory must be complemented by dialectic. Through an analysis of the dialectical topics of Boethius in De topicis differentiis alongside his "masterpiece of rhetorical philosophy" (Verene 2020, 333), The Consolation of Philosophy, dialectic is revealed as a valuable aid to the Christian rhetor seeking to ground argument in philosophical reasoning while being responsive to context, contingency, and difference in the current historical moment.
- Subjects
RHETORICAL theory; CONSOLATION; DIALECTIC
- Publication
Journal of Communication & Religion, 2023, Vol 46, Issue 2, p87
- ISSN
0894-2838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5840/jcr202346216