An Outrageous Accusation: Finding Sophistic Rhetoric in Facilitation

• In Event: Scholar to Scholar VI

Abstract

Foundational literature on dialogue as a particular type of communication has frequently characterized dialogue in opposition to rhetoric. Rhetoric has been described as a speaker-centered type of monologue whose ends are not entirely virtuous. In this essay, I articulate a different conceptualization of rhetoric based upon sophistry, draw parallels between sophistry and facilitation, and finally provide practical heuristics from sophistic rhetorical theory which may help facilitators striving to help participants build consensus.

Author

• Christopher Michael Duerringer, Arizona State University