Inception: How the Unsaid May Become Public Knowledge

Christian Erik J Kock

Inception: How the Unsaid May Become Public Knowledge

Department of Communication

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Abstract

Applying the combined rhetorical and pragmatic framework, the author analyzes three types of mechanisms that allow political speakers to suggest some apparently shared 'public knowledge.' The study shows that presupposition is a convenient pragmatic and rhetorical device for manipulating the alleged 'public knowledge' used by politicians to make citizens accept their seemingly justified decisions.

Original language	Danish
Publication date	7 Dec 2016
Number of pages	15
Publication status	Published - 7 Dec 2016
Event	Rhetoric in Society 5 conference: Rhetoric in the Knowledge Society - University of Warsaw, faculty of Modern Languages, Warszawa, Poland Duration: 24 Jun 2015 → 26 Jun 2015 Conference number: 5

Conference

Conference	Rhetoric in Society 5 conference
Number	5
Location	University of Warsaw, faculty of Modern Languages
Country/Territory	Poland
City	Warszawa
Period	24/06/2015 → 26/06/2015

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Cite this

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title = "Inception: How the Unsaid May Become Public Knowledge",

abstract = "The paper uses H.P. Grice{\textquoteright}s concept of conversational implicature, and concepts based on Gricean thinking, in a rhetorical analysis of several passages in President George W. Bush{\textquoteright}s speeches prior to the invasion of Iraq. It is suggested that the passages in question, along with many others, were apt to suggest to audiences something that Bush never asserted and ostensibly denied, namely that he believed Saddam Hussein to have been complicit in the 9/11 terrorist acts. Three types of suggestive mechanism are analyzed. They are offered as examples of rhetorical devices used in political communication that may create a kind of “public knowledge” that has not been asserted, supported with reasons, or reflected upon.",

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N2 - The paper uses H.P. Grice’s concept of conversational implicature, and concepts based on Gricean thinking, in a rhetorical analysis of several passages in President George W. Bush’s speeches prior to the invasion of Iraq. It is suggested that the passages in question, along with many others, were apt to suggest to audiences something that Bush never asserted and ostensibly denied, namely that he believed Saddam Hussein to have been complicit in the 9/11 terrorist acts. Three types of suggestive mechanism are analyzed. They are offered as examples of rhetorical devices used in political communication that may create a kind of “public knowledge” that has not been asserted, supported with reasons, or reflected upon.

AB - The paper uses H.P. Grice’s concept of conversational implicature, and concepts based on Gricean thinking, in a rhetorical analysis of several passages in President George W. Bush’s speeches prior to the invasion of Iraq. It is suggested that the passages in question, along with many others, were apt to suggest to audiences something that Bush never asserted and ostensibly denied, namely that he believed Saddam Hussein to have been complicit in the 9/11 terrorist acts. Three types of suggestive mechanism are analyzed. They are offered as examples of rhetorical devices used in political communication that may create a kind of “public knowledge” that has not been asserted, supported with reasons, or reflected upon.

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