Paul Ricoeur's text explores the complex relationships between rhetoric, poetics, and hermeneutics as distinct yet overlapping disciplines. He defines each by its origin, method, and aim concerning discourse. Rhetoric is presented as the art of persuasive argumentation, originating in specific situations like assemblies and tribunals. Poetics, rooted in the creation of plots and fables, seeks to expand the imaginary through creative imitation. Hermeneutics focuses on interpreting texts across cultural and temporal distances, aiming to uncover new dimensions of reality. While each discipline possesses a totalizing ambition, Ricoeur argues for recognizing their distinct foundations and complementary roles in understanding discourse.