Cicero’s De Oratore discusses the tension between rhetoric and philosophy, specifically tension that arises from Sophists immorally (or cleverly) using rhetoric for untruthful purposes. Sophists claimed to be able to argue any side of an argument, but Cicero saw faults with this teaching because it distorted the truth. In defining the best orator, how can we relate rhetoric and philosophy through the orator’s ethical duty to use the power of persuasion for the true truth? The intersections between rhetoric and philosophy are rooted in the truth, but the intersection gets complicated by an orator’s sense of duty to society, especially in a democracy dependent on good citizenship.
In the “Introduction: Philosophy and Rhetoric - Rethinking Their Intersections,” published in the Philosophy and Rhetoric journal in 2017, Gerard A. Hauser suggests that the relationship between rhetoric and philosophy comes from their intersection as arts showcased in a democratic society. Rhetoric is a tool to be used in tandem with philosophy, considering the full power of words when weaponizing the tools of rhetoric. While Hauser’s response reflects the connection of philosophy and rhetoric to the Roman Republic, it is not compelling in the ethical sense and doesn’t respond to the ideal of the true truth demonstrated in philosophical thought.
Rhetoric and philosophy are related to the orator’s ethical duty to seek truth. In the case of the Roman Republic, an orator’s ethics were especially important because of democracy. Orators were able to use rhetoric as a tool to sway others and with great power comes great responsibility. The inherent duty for a Roman citizen to always be concerned with the Republic created a need for philosophy in rhetoric. There needed to be an element of morals within an orator’s role in society.
A challenge I foresee in answering this question about an orator’s ethical duty is my unfamiliarity with Plato’s writings. Some limitations are that many of the sources dealing with rhetoric and philosophy are centered around Sophists and specifically Gorgias in Plato’s Gorgias. Not many sources describe rhetoric and philosophy without using Socrates and Gorgias, which may create bias because Plato is reporting on Socrates (Socrates isn’t doing the writing).
Exploring rhetoric vs. philosophy in the context of an orator’s duty will provide insight on not only an orator’s duty to the virtuous morals embedded in philosophy but also their duty to a democratic society. Examining ethics, persuasion, and truth in conversation with each other questions the foundations of rhetoric and philosophy. Subsequently, we can question the ideals of a society that places so much value on orators. Orators are seen as important people and exploring ethics with oration will explain why we trust orators with such great power.
An opportunity for further research would be to explore how the Sophist agenda complicated the intersections between rhetoric and philosophy. Also, looking at the role of an orator in certain societies like in Ancient Rome vs. Ancient Greece lets us explore the difference in an orator’s societal obligation in each culture.