Autore: Ricciardi, Valerio
Titolo: Cicero on the Rhetorical Foundations of Human Society
Rivista/Miscellanea: Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought 43
Anno edizione: 2026
Pagine: 337-359
Parole chiave: Philosophie - Filosofia - Philosophy, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Descrizione: This article examines the issue of the ethical foundations of rhetoric in Cicero. Rather than focusing on the moral integrity of the orator, whose moral goodness cannot be guaranteed in Cicero’s view, I investigate whether there are morally good reasons why rhetoric itself is worth pursuing despite its potential misuse. My claim is that these can be found in Cicero’s view that reason and speech are essential traits of human nature, and that the interaction of these two natural faculties plays a key role in the foundation and preservation of human civilization. Accordingly, I show that Cicero held this view consistently throughout his life in both his rhetorical and philosophical works. Therefore, rhetoric is worth pursuing because it contributes to the improvement of speech, a natural faculty that, together with reason, makes us truly human, allowing us to live peacefully with other members of our species [Author]
Sigla autore: Ricciardi 2026
Titolo: Cicero on the Rhetorical Foundations of Human Society
Rivista/Miscellanea: Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought 43
Anno edizione: 2026
Pagine: 337-359
Parole chiave: Philosophie - Filosofia - Philosophy, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Descrizione: This article examines the issue of the ethical foundations of rhetoric in Cicero. Rather than focusing on the moral integrity of the orator, whose moral goodness cannot be guaranteed in Cicero’s view, I investigate whether there are morally good reasons why rhetoric itself is worth pursuing despite its potential misuse. My claim is that these can be found in Cicero’s view that reason and speech are essential traits of human nature, and that the interaction of these two natural faculties plays a key role in the foundation and preservation of human civilization. Accordingly, I show that Cicero held this view consistently throughout his life in both his rhetorical and philosophical works. Therefore, rhetoric is worth pursuing because it contributes to the improvement of speech, a natural faculty that, together with reason, makes us truly human, allowing us to live peacefully with other members of our species [Author]
Sigla autore: Ricciardi 2026
