The Prophetic Tradition and Radical Rhetoric in America

James Darsey

ISBN 10: 0814718760 / ISBN 13: 9780814718766

Editore: New York University Press, US, 1997

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This expansive volume traces the rhetoric of reform across American history, examining such pivotal periods as the American Revolution, slavery, McCarthyism, and today's gay liberation movement. At a time when social movements led by religious leaders, from Louis Farrakhan to Pat Buchanan, are playing a central role in American politics, James Darsey connects this radical tradition with its prophetic roots. Public discourse in the West is derived from the Greek principles of civility, diplomacy, compromise, and negotiation. On this model, radical speech is often taken to be a sympton of social disorder. Not so, contends Darsey, who argues that the rhetoric of reform in America represents the continuation of a tradition separate from the commonly accepted principles of the Greeks. Though the links have gone unrecognized, the American radical tradition stems not from Aristotle, he maintains, but from the prophets of the Hebrew Bible.

Codice articolo LU-9780814718766

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: The Prophetic Tradition and Radical Rhetoric in America
• Editore: New York University Press, US
• Data di pubblicazione: 1997
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0814718760
• ISBN 13: 9780814718766
• Rilegatura: Hardback
• Condizione: New
• Peso: 540 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

This expansive volume traces the rhetoric of reform across American history, examining such pivotal periods as the American Revolution, slavery, McCarthyism, and today's gay liberation movement. At a time when social movements led by religious leaders, from Louis Farrakhan to Pat Buchanan, are playing a central role in American politics, James Darsey connects this radical tradition with its prophetic roots.

Public discourse in the West is derived from the Greek principles of civility, diplomacy, compromise, and negotiation. On this model, radical speech is often taken to be a sympton of social disorder. Not so, contends Darsey, who argues that the rhetoric of reform in America represents the continuation of a tradition separate from the commonly accepted principles of the Greeks. Though the links have gone unrecognized, the American radical tradition stems not from Aristotle, he maintains, but from the prophets of the Hebrew Bible.

L'autore

James Darsey is Assistant Professor of Communication at Northern Illinois University.
  [Author Bio]