art since it lacks knowledge (Grg. 464b1–66a6)—is an attempt to distinguish political rhetoric, aiming at persuasion however achieved, from philosophy. Throughout western history there have continued to be those who have distrusted rhetoric as deceit, propaganda, superficial ornamentation, or the empty use of words.3 Aristotle (Rh. 1:2:1355b25–26) modified the Platonic conception of rhetoric by defining it as “the ability in each [particular] case to see the available means of persuasion”. This implies