Rhetorica: A Speech in Time Saves Nine
Persuasion aims at action, and action takes place in time. It follows that rhetoric looks in three directions: past, present, and future.
Rhetorica: A Speech in Time Saves Nine Read More »
Texts in Context: The Queen of the Sciences
“What great advantages would philosophy give us over other men, if by studying it we could learn to govern our passions?” — Peter Abelard
Texts in Context: The Queen of the Sciences Read More »
Rhetorica: Of the Same Clay
What is essential to argument is not that both sides prove everything they say, but only that they begin from premises both parties accept.
Rhetorica: Of the Same Clay Read More »
Texts in Context: The Real Renaissance
If there is an era that truly deserves to be hailed as possessing a new energy of civilization-spanning rebirth, it is the beginning of the High Middle Ages.
Texts in Context: The Real Renaissance Read More »
Rhetorica: The Weakness of Magnanimity
An essential part of the secret of magnanimity is, knowledge is not a zero-sum game.
Rhetorica: The Weakness of Magnanimity Read More »
Texts in Context: Timeline of the Early Middle Ages
Just as Roman law and Christian faith were being torn to pieces in the Mediterranean, parchment and pen had appeared among the barbarians of the north …
Texts in Context: Timeline of the Early Middle Ages Read More »
Rhetorica: The Practice of Magnanimity
“Most people are normal” does not sound controversial, or even worth saying; but it is surprisingly hard, and worthwhile, to really believe.
Rhetorica: The Practice of Magnanimity Read More »
Texts in Context: In the Year of Our Lord
The High Middle Ages are almost upon us. With them come two movements that will transfigure Europe and, eventually, the globe.
Texts in Context: In the Year of Our Lord Read More »
Rhetorica: The Discipline of Largesse
The fourth moral principle underlying rhetoric, and the first that demands a social context, is the rule of magnanimity; so what’s that?
Rhetorica: The Discipline of Largesse Read More »
Texts in Context: 1066 and All That
England as we know it, the England of the High Middle Ages and thereafter, finally attains recognizable shape.
Texts in Context: 1066 and All That Read More »