“discourse is not simply that which manifests (or hides) desire it is also the object of desire; and since, as history constantly teaches us, discourse is not simply that which translates struggles or systems of domination, but is the thing for which and by which there is struggle, discourse is the power hitch is to be seized” (Foucault pg 1461).
Q: if discourse is the thing to be digested and seized that would mean that rhetoricians use discourse as a tool to further their power over the audience. Do you think that using discourse in such a way is effective?
In some cases it can be very effective, and in fact may be the most effective tool for certain situations. You can't always reason with people, and exerting power over an audience can be a way of showing authority which lends to your credibility. However, it isn't necessarily the most appealing approach.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ryan's statement. I believe that it depends on the situation at hand, and could be more effective in some circumstances. The statement "power over the audience" throws me off a bit, because that could have a negative or positive influence on the people the speaker is presenting information to which I think is important to consider.
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