Words are much more than mere lifeless symbols and signals. They are the very structure of thought.
Learning language: hello cowboy, how about a little beer and rhetoric?
Words are much more than mere lifeless symbols and signals. They are the very structure of thought. Many famous leaders have understood and capitalized on the psychology of language, and have used this knowledge to arouse and mobilize people, for both good an devil. Poetry, literature, popular slogans, metaphors, and patriotic songs all have the power to move people in profound ways.
The study of rhetoric deals with the primal patterns of language, and how a skillful turn of phrase conveys meaning beyond the mere symbolic level of words. For example, at the time of the American declaration of independence from Britain, Benjamin Franklin reportedly made one of the most memorable statements of the time. When one of his fellow statesmen said, after the group had passed the Declaration of Independence, “Now gentlemen, we must all hang together,” Franklin said, “Indeed, we must, or assuredly we shall hang separately.”
by Karl Albrecht
from Social Intelligence: The New Science of Success
image – tim eschaton
