ARCS Ch.2; RT Intro to Part I, Gorgias, and Dissoi Logoi

While reading Chapter 2 of Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students one of the first things I learned and made note of were the elements of a rhetorical situation which according to the text includes and issuer of discussion, and audience (and their relationship to the issue), a rhetor's reputation and a time and place. These elements comprise a multitude of different possible rhetorical situations, which leads to the topic of the "right rhetorical moment" (ARCS, 37-38). Kairos is defined as a moment in time at which you can make the most advantage of that situation - as that certain moment (ARCS, 38). While creating an argument there are many things to consider, in the power dynamics of an issue it is important to consider which arguments are being made by which people (arguments already established), and whether they receive more or less attention (ARCS, 41).
Another thing I found interesting was learning more about some of the individual ancient rhetors actual thoughts were. The Sophist Movement viewed that absolute knowledge was now available to humans. Plato rejected this, but the Sophists ability to see all sides of an argument aimed promote diversity and tolerance in society. Isocrates saw himself primarily as a teacher and had three main elements of success which were "natural talents, practice in varied situations, and instruction in general principles" (RT, 26). Reading further into the Rhetorical Tradition, I read one section that was particularly interesting to me. This section named Aspasia and Opportunities for Women informed about ancient times and the roles of women. They were far and few - and complimented as "not totally oppressed". Texts from any women at the time have not survived and are not even sure to exist, but it wasn't long before ancient Greek women could attend schools or hold public office (in wealthier families) (RT, 27).
Later, reading about Plato's struggle between real and false rhetoric at first confused me but ended up teaching me a lot. He criticizes false rhetoric for relying on "kairos", he says that only "determine[s] provisional truth or probable knowledge"(RT, 28). Aristotle was less concerned with the struggle between 'false' and 'true' knowledge, instead he defined three categories for rhetoric, as well as established that he personally felt the appeal to reason was the most important, and some even said he could appear to "prefer to conduct persuasion by reason alone" (RT, 31). I feel I most identify so far with how Aristotle approaches rhetoric. Reasoning, and appealing to logical appeals are strong ways to make a solid argument. It it difficult to negate logical reasoning, or facts backed up through "scientific demonstration" (RT, 31). This I found particularly interesting in that I feel that I value logical appeals when arguing a side too.