Sophistry and the Language of Persuasion: An Argument by Martyrdom.

When someone fails to be convinced by our arguments one is faced with a small dilemma. There is something irksome about such a response. Does that person mean that we have not excercised enough reason or feeling in pursing the point? Have we failed to live up to the other person's standards? And why should we feel the need to live up to such standards?

The language of persuasion is a difficult one to master. One cannot help but be moved by the religious or political martyrs of the past. It is difficult to doubt their convictions but that did not make them right.

Likewise, to have millions of people be persuaded by an argument does not make it right either. As the friends of Socrates (the philosophical martyr) were aware, democracy is not co-existent with 'Truth.'

What is irksome, is that in our everyday lives, we have to convince and persuade people. In job interviews, meetings with manangers, when pursing love interests..., we need to know how to persuade. The Ancient Greeks called this art of persuasion sophistry. How to speak in public, how to compose a convincing letter, how to get things done all rely upon this art.

However, there is something demeaning with this pursuit. It is a mark of slavery. To live a life were one does not need to persuade... now that is a life worth living!

without perspective

It's been a long week, so much change and I feel emotionally drained. They say that to be a writer one must continue to write no matter what the quality of the output. It is later you can edit, re-arrange or rethink what has been written. I see the point but I really don't feel the energy to focus at the moment. I lack perspective.

Every morning and evening I spend my time reading on the train when travelling to and from work. My reading material at the moment is "The End Of The Affair" by Graham Greene. It is one of those novels I have just picked up and decided to give a go. I have heard of this writer but I am not familiar at all with his work or biography.

I also lack perspective trying to review what I have read as I haven't finished yet. One important point that was made in the book was that people tend to build up habits of a lifetime (such as writing) and only sadness actually can interupt this. You can have a passionate love affair and get back to work as if nothing happened. Sadness can effect everything and even though you can force the piece of writing it somehow comes out contrived- no matter how well you have mastered your technique.

So I have a train to catch in ten minutes and I sit in a computer cafe, writing off the cuff. I will probably edit what I have written on Sunday when I have a chance to read it. Until then, it is Graham Greene, a train journey and a few drinks with friends in my home town!