2.5: The Feminist Approach- Invitational Rhetoric
- Page ID
- 199291
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)This approach is a feminist take on the art and science of rhetoric. Developed by sister scholars (literally!) Sonja Foss and Karen Foss, invitational rhetoric provides another framework to explore how we argue, approach controversial issues, and participate in decision making. Just as the critical perspective interrogates power dynamics in our rhetorical practices, invitational rhetoric addresses the patriarchal bias that is embedded in many traditional rhetorical theories and the positive value they accord to changing and thus dominating others (Foss and Griffin 2). Invitational rhetoric is an alternative rhetoric grounded in the feminist principles of equality, immanent value, and self‐determination. "Its purpose is to offer an invitation to understanding, and its communicative modes are the offering of perspectives and the creation of the external conditions of safety, value, and freedom" (Foss and Griffin 2).
Foss and Griffin further argued that that the very definition of rhetoric as persuasive embodies patriarchal values: “Implicit in the conception of rhetoric as persuasion is an assumption that humans are on earth to alter the environment and to influence the social affairs of others" (2). They argue that embedded in the Western idea of “rhetoric” is the desire for power, influence, control, and even domination. “The act of changing others not only establishes the power of the rhetor over others but also devalues the lives and perspectives of others“ (Foss and Griffin 3). By contrast, invitational rhetoric seeks to reflect feminist principles of equality, immanent value, and self-determination. These principles serve as a foundation that introduces a new attitude and approach in engaging in persuasive argumentation. Invitational rhetoric can be understood as “an invitation to the audience to enter the rhetor's world and see it the way the rhetor does” (Foss and Griffin 4). Change may occur while using invitational rhetoric, but change is not the main goal. The main goal is understanding, and thus, any change that occurs is more transformational because it is based upon understanding and insights gained through the open exchange of ideas.
A few characteristics of invitational rhetoric are as follows:
- Openness - openness to other perspectives, but also openness in minimizing possible impediments to understanding. This could be being more flexible in the choice of language, construction of the argument, and/or even tone of communication.
- Offering perspectives - the goal is to offer a viewpoint, without the expectation that all participants will hold or accept that viewpoint.
- Safe, inclusive, and respectful environment - if participants are invited to share their true perspective, the environment should offer a safe space where others can respect and hold a variety of, and possibly differing, perspectives
- Freedom of choice - the audience is free to accept or reject the rhetor’s perspective; the rhetor has the freedom to not be upset or bothered by the audience’s decision. (Foss and Griffin 5-6).
Invitational rhetoric offers another approach to engage in persuasive communication where influence is based upon understanding through exchange of ideas and insight. The relationship between rhetor and participants centers on mutual respect, freedom of choice, and preserving one’s value. Invitational rhetoric is also concerned with how participants in persuasion feel after the argumentation process. Rather than having a competitive environment, where one perspective “wins” over another, the environment is one where everyone leaves feeling heard, respected and valued, and understood. Invitational rhetoric can be a one way to encourage more collaborative decision making.