The ethics of rhetoric

"The Ethics of Rhetoric" by Richard M. Weaver is a thought-provoking exploration of how persuasive speaking and writing connect to right and wrong, mainly using Plato's "Phaedrus" as a guide. The book looks at rhetoric not just as a skill, but as a way to influence people for good or bad. It starts by investigating the many layers of Plato’s work, which talks about love, the inner self, and how we communicate. Weaver argues that rhetoric is really about ethics, suggesting that words can either inspire us to be better or be used to take advantage of others; paving the way for a deep study of rhetoric and what it means for honest communication.