“That’s just rhetoric” is a common phrase used to dismiss the seriousness of what someone (usually an untrusted leader) has said.

But rhetoric is much more than “just rhetoric”.

As David Erland Isaksen, Associate Professor of Communication at USN School of Business, talks about in this episode of the Real Clear Values podcast, the art of rhetoric played an integral role in the foundations of democracy.

Suffice it to say that its reputation has fallen a long way since it was known as the Queen of the Humanities.

Far from serving the purposes of manipulation and demagoguery, however, Isaksen illustrates how a sound understanding of rhetoric, and strong rhetorical skills, can help individuals to guard against the deceitful manipulations of demagogues.

What’s more is that strong rhetorical skills are essential in communicating our values clearly and persuasively to others.

Tune in to learn more about why the art of rhetoric is so relevant to what’s happening in the world today (think: Zelensky versus Putin's Russia) and how you can develop your own rhetorical skills.

(Episode recorded on 22nd March 2022.)