athos, also called pathetic or emotional proofs, is the persuasion of audiences by using emotions. It has worked effectively when it has drawn up the sympathies and emotions of the audience causing them to accept the ideas, propositions, or calls to action (Covino, 17).

The meaning of discourse is dependent upon beliefs and ideas that inform the audience's state of mind. As Chaim Perelman states, "to adapt an audience is, above all, to choose as premises of argumentation theses the audience already holds." Aristotle's basic treatment of pathos was the fitting of one's text to the character types and states of mind that make up one's audience. This has held true from classical rhetoric, although now it is unwise to stereotype the audience into a certain category. The meaning of pathos expands in modern rhetoric. Richard M. Weaver's most lasting contribution to modern rhetorical theory are the expressions "God's terms" and "Devil's terms," which basically denotes that certain words automatically have a positive or negative connotation according to the audience. Word choice, or style a rhetor uses subtly appeals to the audience's feelings.

Pathos is one of three forms of persuasion in rhetoric. The other two, ethos and logos, are closely related to pathos. For instance, the logos of one's speech must fit the pathos of the audience in order to have an effect. Pathos is tied to a virtuous ethos as well. A rhetor of goodwill seeks to evoke the same in the audience (Covino 17).

Pathos plays an important role today in a variety of styles of rhetoric. It has become a key element of tragic literature, where characters evoke the audience's pity by appealing to "what one has suffered" (Covino 71). It is clearly present in the social interactions of which science is the product (Gross 574). Scientists involve their emotions when writing reviews, seeking funding, or simply proposing new or controversial ideas.

Works Cited for Part One