Rory Stewart: The Long History of... Argument: 2. Antithesis
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Jul 8, 2024 
Rory Stewart discusses the importance of argument in human life, from philosophy to democracy. He reflects on the dangers of bad arguments in politics, the decline of rhetoric in modern politics, and the impact of social media on political discourse. Stewart emphasizes the need for constructive dialogue to address societal issues and foster compromises.
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Dialogue's Importance
- Dialogue is central to democracy, giving space to different voices and enabling compromise.
- Our civilization was built on the relationship between speaking, thinking, and acting well.
Rhetoric's Rise and Fall
- Rhetoric was central to education in classical Greece, Rome, and medieval schools.
- However, in the 17th century, figures like Thomas Hobbes began to criticize rhetoric, associating it with divisive religious messages during the religious wars.
Rhetoric's Decline
- Hobbes and his successors viewed rhetoric as encouraging conflict and challenging scientific reason.
- By the 20th century, rhetoric was no longer a core part of school curriculums.