A Teleological Interpretation of the Applicability of Rhetoric in the Peripatetic Tradition

Abstract

Applicability, conceived as emphasizing the aspect of functional applications of a theory, constitutes a crucial factor, and frequently even the aim of the development of modern sciences. Currently, applicability is also one of the evaluation criteria of educational processes. What is inapplicable, developing in the domain of theoria is understood as impossible to be employed to satisfy various human needs. Being situated outside the realm of functional applications is regarded as not being valuable. The factor of applicability is strongly emphasized by education, closely connected with the development of the sciences. Its efforts are directed towards attaining skills and competences and the practical nature of acquired knowledge. These types of tendencies refer to rhetoric as well. Emphasizing the applicability of rhetoric consists in developing various methods and techniques of persuasion. This gives rise to a technical approach to rhetoric which is prevalent nowadays. According to it, rhetoric is a domain which is primarily supposed to provide efficient and universal