Persuasion without Words: Confucian Persuasion and the Supernatural

Se-Hyoung Yi

doi:10.3390/h8040182

Abstract

This article revisits the nonverbal rhetorical tradition in Confucianism and examines how Confucianism actualized the tradition through its careful consideration of supernatural forces. In Confucianism, genuine persuasion produces actual change and transformation of one’s course of action, not merely verbal conviction. Speech only is not enough to genuinely persuade others. A speaker must transform others by his exemplary acts in the rites and holy ceremonies where supernatural forces and the notion of the afterlife hold a significant place. While Confucius was not interested in discussing the existence of demons and ghosts or their actual function in society, he recognized that their supposed and assumed existence in holy rites would provide society with an opportunity for genuine persuasion, which leads people to actual changes and reforms in their political and moral life. Discussing the nonverbal mode of persuasion in Confucianism may enhance contemporary democracy in two aspects. First, nonverbal persuasion recognizes those who may have difficulty in actively participating in verbal communication, such as the disabled, immigrants, foreigners, and politically and socially marginalized people, in political discourses. Second, the positive role of civic religion in contemporary societies may be discovered.

Highlights

Nonverbal Rhetoric and the SupernaturalRecently, scholars started paying attention to the “deliberative” or “verbal” tradition in Confucianism
Discussing nonverbal persuasion through Confucianism may allow us to revisit and elaborate on the Western tradition of nonverbal and nonlinguistic persuasion, which has not been emphasized in contemporary political rhetoric
Confucius hesitated to discuss the afterlife and any other topic related to spirituality and the supernatural, which may have distracted him from cultivating the virtuous way of life in this world

Summary

Introduction

Scholars started paying attention to the “deliberative” or “verbal” tradition in Confucianism. Both Confucianism and deliberative democratic theory share the importance of reasonable speech and reciprocal communication, emphasizing that people must be mutually persuaded by reasonable and rational arguments to justify their collective decision This discovery—or rediscovery—of the linguistic and deliberative tradition in Confucianism proves that. Discussing nonverbal persuasion through Confucianism may allow us to revisit and elaborate on the Western tradition of nonverbal and nonlinguistic persuasion, which has not been emphasized in contemporary political rhetoric. In this context, Confucianism helps contemporary democracy become more inclusive for two reasons. The positive role of civic religion in contemporary societies may be discovered

Confucius’s Ambiguity

Utilizing the Supernatural: A Comparative Perspective

Confucian Persuasion

Politics of “as if”: The Supernatural and Confucian Persuasion

Participants’

Conclusions