Chapter 7

I think I’ll try something a little different with this post. While reading, I highlighted a number of thoughts and phrases that stick out/ interest me.

(247) “In our culture, if you’re emotional, you’re irrational” – Even though the authors call the accusation “inaccurate and unfair” a few lines later, I still think it’s a worthy observation. It’s a stereotype many buy into and one that affects gender roles. Much of our society makes the assumption it’s okay for females to give in to emotions, but it’s not appropriate for me to. Therefore, females, because they are more emotional than men, are likely to be more irrational than men. Please understand that this isn’t my personal opinion, but it is an opinion that many people in our society support.

In the next paragraph, “consumer’s desire for success” and the “fear of losing status in their communities” is mentioned in relation to product marketing. It really is pathetic how easily we can be convinced that having the right “things” will validate success and status. The products we own create our identity. We are able to stop at a mall and purchase identities and create ourselves. Companies are aware of this and take advantage of our vulnerability, sensitivity, and desire to be identified as having (or not having) certain emotional qualities. Maybe we should consider a different philosophy about our emotional attachment to material objects.

Here’s an interest article about a Fight Club (book/film) Philosophy. http://collegetimes.us/a-fight-club-philosophy/?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4cacb9bdb60e1e09,0

(251) According to Aristotle…“Rhetors must understand the state(s) of minds of people. Second, must know who can excite these emotions, Third, they must understand the reasons for which people becomes emotional.” I am constantly trying to do a better job at all of these as a teacher. In order to make particular components of my content area come to live, I must consider emotional appeal. In many cases “because you need to know this” or “it’ll prepare you for the rest of your life” just aren’t a good enough reason for students to take interest in what I teach. I never really think of myself as a rhetor, but I guess creating pathetic proof/appeal is something I regularly do.

(252) “People are less prone to be angry with those above or equal to them on a scale of social authority, while they are more prone to be angry with those below them on the scale.” I don’t think there’s much to elaborate on here. It’s a great piece of social commentary and says so much about the way we function as people and about the way our emotions or conditioned. While many of our emotional behaviors are inherent, there are just as many that are learned.

(254) “A person’s willingness to change her mind depends on two things: the emotional intensity with which she clings to an opinion and the degree to which her identity-her sense of herself as an integrated person-is wrapped up with that opinion.” I love the second half of this statement. The relation between identity and opinion is fascinating, I’m sure we’ve all known someone who defines his or herself by an opinion. A good friend of mine defined himself by an opinion for almost half his life. He’s recently changed his mind about the issue, and he is an entirely different and more “real” person. Let’s call my friend John. In middle school, John decided that eating animals was wrong. Shortly after that, he decided that wearing animals was wrong. For years, everything John did revolved around this belief. He was quick to offend and quick to judge, and it was impossible to convince him of anything that went against his “identity.” John had a tattoo that represents the idea of compassion. He had stickers all over his car and a number of T-shirts promoting his identity. Anytime someone ate meat or wore leather, John would respond emotionally. He took the act as a personal attack, as if a person was judging his character. There was a considerable amount of emotional intensity attached to John’s opinion. His closest friends were animal friendly, and he was completely consumed by that emotion. He would support every and any product, film, art, music, or organization that echoed his emotional identity. Years later, John eats meat and all that he once was (which was tied to an emotional set) no longer exists. It’s amazing that something that once made him so upset, so enraged, no longer illicit an emotion response.

( 257) “If an audience does not care about an issue in which a rhetor is interested she will need to use emotional appeal to get their attention.” I think this connects back to my comment about a teacher’s role a rhetor. I’m not sure all content areas or grade levels share this concept, but I can’t deny my use of the pathetic appeal to “sell literature.” Is that justifiable, or is it wrong?