Sanctification as Argumentation : What Scholars of Rhetoric can Learn from Ernst Cassirer’s Theory of Myth

• The book chapter Sanctification as Argumentation contributes to the field of rhetorical studies by discussing how the dynamics between rhetorical argumentation and myth, understood as a type of emotionally laden, suggestive notions, can be conceptualised theoretically. More specifically, the chapter presents a reading of Ernst Cassirer’s notion of myth, as part of his philosophy of symbolic forms, arguing for its explanatory value. Indoing so, Bengtson contributes to three scholarly discussions. The first one – is the discussion of myth and its relation to argumentation. The second one – concerns how the complex relation between human autonomy and heteronomy can be framed in rhetorical theory. The third one – concerns the question of how Cassirer’s philosophy of symbolic forms can best be adapted to and utilised in rhetorical studiesIn the chapter, Bengtson utilizes the concepts of intensification and sanctification to describe the function of myth. He argues that to understand myth, we need to understand the notion of divinity, and to understand mythical argumentation, we need to understand the process of sanctification.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Övrig annan humaniora (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Other Humanities not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Språk och litteratur (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Languages and Literature (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Ernst Cassirer

mythical argumentation

rhetoric

intensification

Rhetoric

Retorik

Filosofi

Philosophy

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)