Aristotle on the Analysis of Legal Debates: Rhetorical “Issues” (Staseis) in Rhetoric?

Abstract

This paper considers the possible parallels between Aristotle’s Rhetoric and the doctrine of “issues” (staseis) as developed in Hellenistic rhetoric. It is argued that while present in Aristotle’s thought, the issues are not built into a comprehensive system but rather integrated into his method of invention focused on topics. The different approaches in Books I and III seem to be due mainly to their respective contexts, and complement one another by focusing on different aspects of the issues.

Keywords

• Aristotle
• invention
• issues
• rhetoric
• stasis