{"product_id":"language-is-sermonic-richard-m-weaver-on-the-nature-of-rhetoric-9780807112212","title":"Language Is Sermonic: Richard M. Weaver on the Nature of Rhetoric","description":"\u003cp\u003eRichard M. Weaver believed that \"rhetoric at its truest seeks to perfect men by showing them better versions of themselves.\" \u003ci\u003eLanguage is Sermonic\u003c\/i\u003e offers eight of Weaver's best essays on the nature of traditional rhetoric and its role in shaping society. Arguing throughout the book against society's reverence for relativism--and the consequential disregard for real values--this philosophical idealist uses his southern background and classical education as a backdrop for his scrutiny of our misuse of language. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWeaver argues that rhetoric in its highest form involves making and persuasively presenting choice among goods. He condemns such supposedly value-free stances as cultural relativism, semantic positivism, scientism, and radical egalitarianism. Eschewing such peripheral aspect s of rhetoric as memorization and delivery, aspects too often now presented as the whole, Weaver deals instead with the substance of rhetoric. Ideas and the words used to express them--these are Weaver's subjects. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnyone concerned about language--its use and abuse in contemporary society--will find \u003ci\u003eLanguage is Sermonic \u003c\/i\u003eprovocative and rewarding. The editors' critical interpretation of all of Weaver's writing, as well as Ralph Eubanks' brief appreciation of Weaver, make this a book no student of language and ideas should be without. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRichard M. Weaver was one of the most stimulating and controversial rhetorical theorists of our time. He taught for many years at the University of Chicago and was the author of several books, including \u003ci\u003eVisions of Order, Ideas Have Consequences, The Ethics of Rhetoric, \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eLife Without Prejudice and Other Essays.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard L. Johannesen is professor of communication studies and adjunct professor of English rhetoric at Northern Illinois University. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRennard Strickland is John W. Shleppey Research Professor of Law and History at the University of Tulsa. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRalph T. Eubanks is professor of rhetoric and the department of communication arts at the University of West Florida.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"LSU Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50845403513106,"sku":"9780807112212","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f4a8a0a1-25bf-4f96-94a6-32162201f238.jpg?v=1737350190","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/language-is-sermonic-richard-m-weaver-on-the-nature-of-rhetoric-9780807112212","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}