Leshley's Library

From the agora of ancient Greece to today’s digital public sphere, rhetoric is far more than a set of persuasive tricks—it is a cornerstone of human thought, ethics, and community. This freshly published work delves deep into the philosophical underpinnings of rhetoric, tracing its lineage from Aristotle’s Rhetoric and Cicero’s De Oratore through medieval scholastic debates, Enlightenment discourse, and modern critical theory. Key highlights include: Conceptual foundations – How ethos, pathos, and logos shape our notions of truth, authority, and emotional appeal. Rhetoric and ethics – An exploration of the moral responsibilities that accompany persuasive power. Intersections with language, politics, and technology – From classical oratory to social‑media algorithms, the book examines how rhetorical structures evolve yet retain core philosophical questions. Practical reflections – Thought‑provoking exercises that invite readers to apply philosophical rigor to everyday communication, public debate, and scholarly writing. Whether you’re a philosopher, communicator, educator, or anyone fascinated by the art of argument, The Philosophy of Rhetoric offers a richly contextualized, intellectually rigorous guide to understanding how persuasion shapes—and is shaped by—our deepest ideas about truth, justice, and human flourishing.