journal article
Weaponized rhetoric: Cognitive struggle in the contemporary media space, [Retoryka uzbrojona: walka o świadomość we współczesnej przestrzeni medialnej]
Abstract
Weaponized rhetoric designates a contest for influence in cognitive space, conducted through symbols. Weaponized rhetoric is both a substitute for war and a new method of warfare. Weaponized rhetoric goes beyond persuasion, argumentation, or propaganda in their traditional senses. The main tools of weaponized rhetoric are narrative, action, and image. Politics today begins to resemble information warfare, while the notion of security (national, personal) becomes equated with cognitive security. The highest prize and stake in this warfare is reputation and its correlate: Legitimation. These developments constitute a challenge to rhetorical (and citizenship) education. © 2021 Polish Rhetoric Society. All rights reserved.
Author keywords
cognitive security, influence, information warfare, weaponized rhetoric