Steve,
In defense of the study of rhetoric, it is precisely because it is the one field of study that openly acknowledges and examines the relationship between emotions and persuasion, that it is especially valuable in helping one to be a more critical (wiser) thinker. Yes, this knowledge can be used perniciously, but that is a question of ethics, and indeed is a concern for every field of study. 
Anyone who has ever participated in forensic speech (debate club) can surely attest to how taking "the other side" of an argument improves one's critical thinking abilities. 
Regards,
Kearney

 
----- Original Message ----
From: Steve Kaufmann <steve at thelinguist.com>
To: The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List <professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:52:42 PM
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2266] Re: Whatdo wemeanbystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?

Bonnie,

I agree with you. Rhetoric as practiced by the ancients is a good discipline. It helps you to organize your thoughts in order to persuade others. This forces you to think about logical connections between ideas. It does not make you more open minded. Most of us arrive at our points of view emotionally, rather than through some clear "critical thinking" path. The skills of rhetoric are useful tools for persuading others of our beliefs. I do not think that most English teachers, myself included, can teach our learners to think, critically or otherwise, nor is it our mandate.
Here is what I said recently in reply to a questioner at one of my youtubes.

1) You can teach methods of organizing your thoughts in order to express them convincingly. I don't believe ESL teachers can teach how to think, how to be open to new ideas, how to question assumptions, without imposing their own assumptions. We arrive at our views based more on emotion than logic, and use logic to justify these views.
2)Language is part of your culture and affects your world view. Each successive language you learn opens your mind to new perspectives. 


      
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