Moral integrity

November 15, 2008
Credo: The moral integrity that makes for a powerful speech

Geoffrey Rowell
TimesOnline. Novemeber 15, 2008.

One of the many striking things in the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States is the power of his language. His gifts of oratory and rhetoric are palpable, rooted in ancient and classical means of communication, in which rhythm, alliteration and assonance all have their part to play. In his powerful repetition of questions and phrases, challenging and cumulative sentences end with some simple affirmation — “Yes, we can.”

Aristotle famously spoke of three aspects of arguments that convince — logos, pathos and ethos. The first is centred on logical reasoning, the second on emotional appeal, and the third has at its heart an ethical appeal, convincing by the character of the speaker or author. When there is a mismatch or a disjunction between powerful words spoken and the character of the speaker, then the accusation of hypocrisy is quick to be made. Oratory and rhetoric to be powerful and convincing need to be grounded in a life that is consonant with the ideals proclaimed. Words without moral commitment will never suffice. It is not merely Obama’s words that have swayed Americans and moved so many elsewhere, it is the sense that words and character match. Both politicians and preachers are judged by their integrity, the coherence of life and rhetoric.