Histories of Ethos

<p>The essays in this collection aim to waken contemporary discussions of ethos</p><p>(and of rhetoric generally) from their Western classical-Aristotelian slumbers.</p><p>Western rhetoric was never univocal in its theory or practice of ethos: the essays</p><p>in this collection provide proof of this. The contributors aimed to shake rhetoric</p><p>out of its Eurocentrism: the traditions of Africa the Middle East and Asia sustain</p><p>their own models of ethos and lead us to reconsider rhetoric in its rich</p><p>variety-what ethos was is and will become. This collection is groundbreaking</p><p>in its attempt to outline the diversity of argument trust and authority beyond</p><p>a singular dominant perspective.</p><p>This collection offers readers a choice of itineraries: thematic geographic and</p><p>historical. Essays may be read individually or cumulatively as exercises in</p><p>comparative rhetoric. In taking a world perspective Histories of Ethos will</p><p>prove a seminal discussion. Its comparative approach will help readers appreciate</p><p>the commonalities and the distinctions in competing cultural-discursive</p><p>practices-in what brings us together and what drives us apart as communities.</p><p>Additionally it is the editors' hope that out of this historical multicultural</p><p>dialogue some new perspectives on ethos may come forward to broaden our</p><p>discussion and reach of understanding.</p>