Richard Whately's theory of argument and its influence on the homiletic theory and practice of John

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Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses
1986
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JJoohhnn AAllbbeerrtt BBrrooaadduuss
Robert Allan Vogel
Portland State University
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Vogel, Robert Allan, "Richard Whately's theory of argument and its influence on the homiletic theory and
practice of John Albert Broadus" (1986). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3665.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.5549
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AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Robert Allan Vogel for the Master
of Arts in Speech Communication presented May 19, 1986.
Title: Richard Whately's Theory of Argument and Its Influence
on the Homiletic Theory and Practice of John Albert
Broadus.
APPROVED BY MEMBERS OF THE THESIS COMMITTEE:
In his Treatise On the Preparation and Delivery of
Sermons, the Southern Baptist preacher and educator of the
latter nineteenth century, John A. Broadus, acknowledged the
influence of classical and contemporary theorists upon his
work. Among those named, particularly with regard to notions
of argument, was Richard Whately, the Anglican Archbishop and
rhetorical theorist of the early nineteenth century. The
research task involved in this thesis was to determine whether
2
and to what extent Whately's theory of argument was employed in
Broadus's homiletic theory and practice.
The writer gathered his data using methods of documentary
research. Most of the sources were available at local
libraries. Others, however, were obtained from the Univer
sities of Kansas, Iowa, and Michigan. Materials by and con
cerning Broadus were obtained from various Baptist historical
agencies.
Both primary and secondary sources were consulted. The
study of the respective theories of argument and the analysis
of Broadus's discourses were done using primary sources.
Secondary sources provided much helpful background and
evaluation.
The writer examined Whately's theory of argument, as
presented in his Elements of Rhetoric, in detail. He did the
same with Broadus's theory as presented in his Treatise. The
two theories were then compared. It was assumed that Broadus
was influenced by Whately when either a direct reference to
Whately was made or when there existed a similarity of ideas
which could not be attributed to a common source. Differences
between the theories of the two men were also noted.
From the ideas discovered in the study of Whately's
theory, a paradigm for rhetorical analysis was constructed.
The model for the paradigm was take·n from Lawrence W. Rosen-
f ield's essay, "The Anatomy of Critical Discourse." The ele
ments of argument included in the paradigm were presumption and
3
burden of proof, arguments from testimony, analogy, and pro
gressive approach, and refutation. These were chosen because,
in the opinion of experts, Whately either created or signifi
cantly developed them.
The paradigm was used as a standard of analysis for three
of Broadus's discourses, namely, "The Duty of Baptists to Teach
Their Distinctive Views," "Should Women Speak in the Mixed
Public Assemblies?" and "Immersion Essential to Christian
Baptism."
The analysis of Broadus's theory and practice, done by
this writer, confirms the notion that Whately's ideas influ
enced Broadus significantly. Broadus's concepts of argument
from testimony, analogy, and progressive approach and his prin
ciples of refutation bear the unmistakable influence of the
Archbishop. Concerning the important matters of presumption
and burden of proof, Broadus pointedly disagreed with Whately
in theory. In one of the discourses analyzed, however, the
writer concluded that Broadus followed Whately's notions of
burden of proof rather than his own.
The writer concluded that Broadus's use of Whately's
ideas demonstrated their usefulness in the task of preaching.
The findings of this study confirm the opinions of others who
hold Whately's theory in high regard.
RICHARD WHATELY'S THEORY OF ARGUMENT AND ITS
INFLUENCE ON THE HOMILETIC THEORY AND
PRACTICE OF JOHN ALBERT BROADUS
by
ROBERT ALLAN VOGEL
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in
SPEECH COMMUNICATION
Portland State University
1986
TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH:
The members of the Committee approve the thesis of
Robert Allan Vogel presented May 19, 1986.
Stephen
Larry (Steward
APPROVED:
Theodore G. Grove, Head, Department of
Speech Communication
Bernard Ross, Dean of Graduate Studies
and Research
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Like most endeavors in the writer's life, this
thesis has been made possible through the efforts of
others besides himself. I extend thanks to my advisory
committee, and particularly to Dr. Alfred Sugarman, who
provided careful oversight of the work. I have
appreciated the encouragement of these men and have
learned much from their suggestions.
Thanks are also due to the administrative officers
of the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, who have
provided financial assistance for my academic program.
Most of all, I must thank my wife, Kathy, and my
children, John, Janet, and Julie for the sacrifices they
have made over the five years of my master's program.
Without complaining they have lived with an erratic sche
dule, given up vacations and other family times, and
endured the slights of a husband and father preoccupied
with his academic pursuits. They have borne a share of
the labor. To them belongs a share of the reward.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
CHAPTER
I INTRODUCTION • • • • • 1
The Significance of Broadus and
Whately • • • • • • • • • • • • 2
Purpose and Rationale • • 8
Review of the Literature 9
Methodology • 13
Plan of Organization 19
II RICHARD WHATELY'S THEORY OF ARGUMENT • 21
Background of Richard Whately 21
An Overview of the Elements of
Rhetoric •••••••••• 29
Particulars of Whately's Theory 37
Arguments from Sign • • • 38
Testimony 38
Progressive Approach • 45
Arguments from Example 46
Selection and Use of Arguments 50
The Aim of an Argument 51
Presumption and Burden of Proof 51
..
v
Refutation • • • • • 59
Whately's Contributions to Rhetoric 68
III JOHN BROADUS'S THEORY OF ARGUMENT 72
Background of John Broadus • • • 72
An Overview of Broadus's Theory 87
A Comparison of the Theories of Whately
and Broadus • • • • • • • • • • • . 93
Questions Preliminary to Argument • • • 94
Burden of Proof
Presumption
Principal Varieties of Argument 102
Argument from Analogy
Argument from Testimony
Forms of Argument • • 110
Refutation 111
Summary 118
IV A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECT DISCOURSES
OF JOHN A. BROADUS • • • • • • • • • • • • 120
A Model for Critical Discourse • 121
A Paradigm Based Upon Whately's Theory 124
An Analysis and Assessment of Three
Discourses of John Broadus •••• 128
"Duties of Baptists to Teach Their
Distinctive Beliefs" •••••• 128
Background of the Address
An Overview of the Address
An Analysis and Assessment of the
Arguments
Summary
"'
vi
"Should Women Speak in Mixed Public . .
Assemblies?" •••••••• 148
Background of the Discourse
An Overview of the Discourse
An Analysis and Assessment of the
Discourse
Summary
"Immersion Essential to Christian
Baptism" • . . • • • • • • • • 168
Background of the Discourse
An Overview of the Discourse
An Analysis and Assessment of the
Discourse
Summary
Conclusion 190
v CONCLUSION 194
Summary 194
Conclusions 199
. . . .
Suggestions for Further Study 203
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY • • • • • • • • • • 205