CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC ROOTS OF A HOLISTIC RHETORIC

Generally, it is accepted that rhetoric has two main aspects. Those are first its persuasive function and secondly its ornamental character. Both aspects are usually regarded as implying that rhetoric is quite distinct from science and philosophy or even works in opposition to them. There might be a more holistic approach to rhetoric in which scientific and philosophical knowledge are seen as different branches within rhetoric. This paper offers such an approach indicating its roots in some Christian and Muslim theologians such as Augustine, and Ibn Wahb.