The power of the word

It's not surprising that the trivium subjects are enjoying renewed interest, not only theoretically, in philosophy, but also practically in the science of reasoning and in communications theory. There is a great need for it: people in leadership positions are expected instantaneously to provide arguments and reasons and to enter into discussion in situations where they cannot resort to truths of the sort 'two plus two equals four'.

We assume that by argumentation the reasonable can be distinguished from the unreasonable. Being in a leadership position implies that you can make this distinction and convey it to others, that when asked what is reasonable and why, you can provide a cogent answer. The trivium can be considered as an education in the seeking of the reasonable in practical situations and in the means whereby what is reasonable can be communicated. Formerly that was the driving force behind training in rhetoric. This appears in the following text by Isocrates. He had a very well-visited school in the time of Plato.

'With regard to most of our capabilities we humans do not differ from animals. In fact compared with many animals we are the lesser in terms of speed or power or other capabilities. But because we are born with the power to persuade each other, to let others know where we stand, to say what we desire and have decided, we have not only risen above the life of wild animals but have also successfully created a civilization, built cities, created laws and developed all manner of techniques.

It is speaking which has made it possible for us to realize practically everything which we have thought about. It is by speaking that, through the laws, we can make distinctions between just and unjust, between honour and shame. Without these distinctions we would not be able to deal with each other in a decent manner. Through the word we shame the bad and honour the good. Through the word we educate the unknowing and learn from the wise. We humans consider an appropriate word as the best sign of proper insight. We see reliable, responsible and correct language as the reflection of a healthy and reliable spirit.

By means of the word we can enter into discussion about contentious issues and penetrate unknown areas. The arguments, which we use to convince others through speech, are the same as those by means of which we convince ourselves in inner dialogue. We call those who are able to speak in front of a crowd orators. We call those who can best enter into dialogue with themselves, sensible and prudent. If we would characterize the ability to speak in summary, we would see that nothing, which is done sensibly and with insight, is done without language. The word directs everything which we do and everything which we think. And the more intelligence one possesses, the more use will he make of it.'
(Isocrates, Nicocles, 5-9)