ΠΙΘ622: Theory of Argumentation – Logic and Rhetoric

The aim of the Course ΠΙΘ622 is to offer the students a systematic acquaintance with the principles of “good” (valid, sound and persuasive) argumentation, in the fields of both written and oral speech. The ability of constructing good arguments, checking the validity/soundness of the arguments of others, as much as the knowledge of the conditions upon which the persuasiveness and effective communication through arguments depend, constitute a necessary condition for every kind of successful, constructive occupation with current politics. For this reason ΠΙΘ622 offers an introduction to Logic (both formal and informal logic, the last called also “theory of argumentation”), their tools and their methods as a “condition-sine-qua-non” for everyone interested to involve in modern politics. The rhetorical frame of a logically valid argumentation, the dependence of the persuasiveness of arguments upon to the whole dialectic-communicative context as much as some subtle moral-ethical considerations are also parts of the content of the Course. The Module ΠΙΘ622 is divided in 4 Parts:

• Part 1: Ancient Rhetoric, History of Logic, History of Rhetoric: Sophists, Plato
• Part 2: Ancient Rhetoric: Aristotle, Stoicism, Ancient Rome, Cicero
• Part 3: Logic and the Role of Arguments, Argument Evaluation, Language as an efficient means of communication
• Part 4: Rhetoric today, Public Discourse, Political Discourse