The Rhetoric of Science

by Alan G. Gross

Alan Gross applies the principles of rhetoric to the interpretation of classical and contemporary scientific texts to show how they persuade both author and audience. This invigorating consideration of the ways in which scientists--from Copernicus to Darwin to Newton to James Watson--establish authority and convince one another and us of the truth they describe may very well lead to a remodeling of our understanding of science and its place in society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

286 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 1990

About the author

Alan G. Gross (born 1936) is a Professor of Rhetoric and Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He has written a number of books, perhaps most well-known being The Rhetoric of Science (Harvard University Press, 1990 and 1996). This book was reviewed by the historian and philosopher of science Joseph Agassi. Gross received his Ph.D. in 1962 from Princeton University.

His research is centered around three areas: scientific communication, rhetorical theory and, most recently, visual communication. Currently, he is completing a manuscript on scientific communication and putting the finishing touches on prospectus for a book on visual conmmunication the sciences.

Publications:

The Rhetoric of Science. Gross, Alan, Harvard, Author, 1996.
Rhetorical Hermeneutics: Invention and Interpretation in the Age of Science. Gross, Alan, William M. Keith, SUNY, Co-Editor, 1997.
Rereading Aristotle's Rhetoric. Gross, Alan, Arthur E. Walzer, Southern Illinois Press, Co-Editor, 2000.
Chaim Perelman. Gross, Alan, Ray D. Dearin, SUNY, Co-Author, 2003.
Communicating Science: The Scientific Article from the 17th Century to the Present. Gross, Alan, Joseph E. Harmon; Michael Reidy, Oxford, Co-Author, 2002.
Starring the Text: The Place of Rhetoric in Science Studies. Gross, Alan, Southern Illinois, Author, 2006.
The Scientific Literature: A Guided Tour. Gross, Alan, Joseph E. Harmon, Chicago, Co-Editor, 2007.

Reviews

[Kenny Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is okay.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. It is an intellectually very lively redemonstration of the fact that since science is carried out by scientists, it is a deeply human project. While Gross is impressively respectful of the intellectual brilliance of the best of science, he nicely dissects the way persuasion is accomplished in a field that needs to imagine the facts can speak for themselves.