The term rhetoric between Greek and Arabic philosophy

Abstract

Regarding the research on the term "rhetoric" in Greek and Arabic philosophy

Research problem: There is confusion in the translation of the term "rhetoric" from Iudadic philosophy to Arabic rhetoric. "Rhetoric" was translated as "rhetoric," while later Arabic translations corrected it to the term "oratory." This position needs to be addressed in order to identify the flaw in understanding Arabic rhetoric and compare it to Greek rhetoric and oratory.

Research methodology: The research relied on a historical investigation method by comparing the first Arabic translations of Aristotle's philosophy with the Arabic concept of Arabic rhetoric. The research included two sections: the first addressed the issue in linguistic terminology, and the second addressed it in terms of the Arabic and Greek philosophical and rhetorical concepts

Results: The research concluded that the term "rhetoric" in Arabic culture means reaching and conveying meaning, while in Greek culture it means persuasion. From this difference follows a difference in establishing the science between the two cultures. As for the conceptual aspect, we have seen that the correct and appropriate translation of "Rhetoric" is "oratory," not "rhetoric." For this reason, Ibn Sina used the term "marvel" for Greek rhetoric and the term "rhetoric" for the basic term "Rhetoric."

Recommendations: This is an attempt to establish a science or field of knowledge that we can call comparative studies of rhetoric, which can better recognize the differences between cultures in addressing the basic issues related to expression and communication. This can be an introduction to studying the differences between cultures more generally in the field of communication. In addition to this general difference between the two cultures in the concept of rhetoric, there are many other differences related to metaphor, metonymy, eloquence, and others, which are areas that require further detailed study.