Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 April 2004
Aristotle's vigorous vindication of rhetoric pairs it with dialectic. Dialectic, for Aristotle, combines logical propositions with induction from rigorous evidence in an effort to prove a case beyond doubt. Rhetoric parallels dialectic, but combines arguments with examples in an effort to persuade. Neither one amounts to science, which for Aristotle requires irrefutable establishment of general principles.
political: arguing for or against a proposed course of action;
forensic: attacking or defending someone;
ceremonial: praising or condemning someone.