"Argument as Emergence, Rhetoric as Love" by Jim W. Corder

The article “Argument as Emergence, Rhetoric as Love” by Jim W. Corder focuses on ways people deals with arguments when confronted with different ideas and accounts that oppose theirs. The author gives different explanations to conflicts and analyses these definitions from which he derives an explanation and possible solution to healthy arguments.

The author uses different sources from which he dissects and interprets ways that arguments are handled and seen. His study includes articles from authors Carl Rogers, Richard E. Young, Alton L. Becker, and Kenneth L. Pike, among others. Some challenges his study faces could be support for his idea of rhetoric as love. His idea seems compelling but additional supportive ideas could help his reasoning.

Corder explains in his article that each person has a story to tell. Daily, people are confronted with decisions and many of these decisions enclose people into their own stories of matters and views of the world. According to Corder, as storytellers people tends to close themselves to other stories and neglect to view other options as possible parts of their story. This kind of thinking puts people in an opposing position where they become obliviously fastened to their own criteria and knowledge.

The author claims “…argument – rhetoric itself – must begin, proceed, and end in love.” (Corder, 1985, p. 28) In order to become open to other’s ideas and effectively become part of the discourse, a person must enter the argument with love and understanding of the audience’s emotions and feelings towards their story. In the case of two arguers with different perspectives, both must become understanding of each other’s emotions and beliefs behinds that hold their claim, this way, both arguers can openly take part of the discussion in a healthy manner.

It might be that the author’s idea of rhetoric as love is undeniable, both arguers must enter a discussion with comprehension of the other’s idea, but it seems somewhat complicated. The definition of love varies among many and peoples own narrative might influence this definition and position when entering the argument. As we progress in the Literature Review, comprehension and an unbiased mentality of other’s ideals are needed to understand the opinions of others.

References

Corder, J. W. (1985, September). Argument as Emergence, Rhetoric as Love. Rhetoric Review, 4(1), 16-32. Retrieved from JSTOR.