The Conversational Enlightenment: the Reconception of Rhetoric in Eighteenth-century Thought David Randall (2020)

David Randall's "Conversational Enlightenment" explores the 18th century's "conversation boom" in literature, philosophy, art, and society. He shows how conversation expanded beyond elites, influencing politeness, public opinion, and even art. He argues it wasn't just chatter but a tool for shaping ideas & the Enlightenment itself. He challenges traditional views, highlighting salons & women's role in intellectual exchange.

The Conversational Enlightenment by David Randall explores the transformation of rhetoric and culture during the Enlightenment, focusing on the role of conversation.

The book examines how conversational rhetoric, originating in the Roman concept of 'sermo', influenced various domains such as education, arts, philosophy, and public opinion.

This shift from oratory to conversation is seen as central to the Enlightenment, redefining public discourse and embracing a more democratic, universal approach.

The narrative interweaves intellectual, cultural, and social histories, centering on France and Britain and extending to broader European contexts.

The author critiques and offers alternatives to Jürgen Habermas's theories, proposing a conversational model of the public sphere, and emphasizes the importance of rhetoric in understanding the Enlightenment's influence on modern thought.

Resources

• The Conversational Enlightenment - the first chapter

 
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•  Cicero’s Sermo ** Conversari

The Concept of Conversation: From Cicero’s Sermo to the Grand Siecle’s Conversation

The Conversational Firm: Rethinking Bureaucracy in the Age of Social Media