Kenneth Burke
Kenneth Burke
Kenneth Duva Burkewas an American literary theorist who had a powerful impact on 20th-century philosophy, aesthetics, criticism, and rhetorical theory. As a literary theorist, Burke was best known for his analyses based on the nature of knowledge. Furthermore, he was one of the first individuals to stray away from more traditional rhetoric and view literature as "symbolic action."...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth5 May 1897
CountryUnited States of America
reflection reality given
Even if any given terminology is a reflection of reality, by its very nature as a terminology it must be a selection of reality; and to this extent it must function also as a deflection of reality,
reflection reality men
Men seek for vocabularies that are reflections of reality. To this end, they must develop vocabularies that are selections of reality. And any selection of reality must, in certain circumstances, function as a deflection of reality.
arbitrary assertion naturally seem sheer simply victim vision
It is deplorable, but not tragic, simply to be a victim of circumstance. Sheer victimization is not an assertion - and it naturally makes not for vision but for frustration. The victimizing circumstances, or accidents, seem arbitrary and exorbitant, even silly.
conversation drama history point
Where does the drama get its materials? From the "unending conversation" that is going on at the point in history when we are born.
clear empirical figure hope interpret issues motivation solved subject terms ultimately ways
We hope to make clear the ways in which dialectical and metaphysical issues necessarily figure in the subject of motivation. Our speculations, as we interpret them, should show that the subject of motivation is a philosophic one, not ultimately to be solved in terms of empirical science.
creation authority
Creation implies authority in the sense of originator.
different degrees kind
For no continuity of social act is possible without a corresponding social status and the many different kinds of act required in an industrial state, with its high degree of specialization, make for corresponding classification of status.
attitude agents use
The use of words by human agents to form attitudes or induce actionsin other human agents.
dignity
Dignity belongs to the conquered....
language planets
Words are like planets, each with its own gravitational pull.
way seeing
A way of seeing is also a way of not seeing.
persuasion rhetoric
Wherever there is persuasion, there is rhetoric, and wherever there is rhetoric, there is meaning.
attitude men political
The most characteristic concern of rhetoric [is] the manipulation of men's beliefs for political ends....the basic function of rhetoric [is] the use of words by human agents to form attitudes or to induce actions in other human agents.
fall cutting men
The universe would appear to be something like a piece of cheese; it can be sliced in an infinite number of ways- and when one has chosen his own pattern of slicing, he finds that other men's cuts fall at the wrong places.