Ratcliffe's theory on rhetorical listening is empowering and coincides nearly parallel to that of Burke's elaboration on identification. She described the practice of rhetorical listening as "a stance of openness that a person may choose to assume in relation to any person, text, or culture", which in turn will progress our personal understanding of others perspectives and beliefs. I feel the act of listening is even more vital after Ratcliffe elaborated on the historic misinterpretation and suppression of so many people's voices throughout history, inherently leading us further away from the truth. I believe (and hope) adapting characteristics on the philosophy of listening into today's society would initiate more respectable, diverse, and truthful rhetorical situations.
In terms of its correlation with Burke's context of the term identification, there are many overlapping points of emphasis in each manuscript. Burke defined identification as a means to persuade a man by keying-in on the common ideology shared between with an audience. Ratcliffe's whole claim of rhetorical listening is based on recognizing and understanding others viewpoints to lead to the ultimate truth of the situation. It's kind of like thinking before you speak, but in terms of listening before you understand.
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