Ethos – Pathos - Logos

Fellow Rotarians and friends of Perth Rotary,

 

 

Around the fifth century B.C.E, the Greek district of Athens was a prominent military, political and philosophical center. It was also a great center of learning. At that time, it was a way of life for young Athenian men to make speeches as citizens.

 

Democracy was on the rise in Athens, so citizens would gather in public places (especially at the market places: “Agora”) to debate political and other economic issues. It was more or less a forum for the exhibition of public speaking abilities. Hence, public speaking became an integral part of their daily life.

 

Throughout the 20th century, rhetoric (The art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade), developed as a concentrated field of study with the establishment of public speaking courses in high schools and universities. The courses in speaking apply fundamental Greek theories such as the modes of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader. Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response. Logos is an appeal to logic).

 

The art of public speaking is encouraged by Perth Rotary through the Four Way Test speaking contest which is organised every year tirelessly by our member Kim Hurley.

 

Last Friday, Emilia, Alana and Grace students from Mercedes College delivered their 4 Way Test themed speeches to the Club and they impressed everyone with their rhetoric skills and individual speaking style.  The judges – as they told us later – found it very hard to pick the “best” speaker which they finally did but for the Club all three students are winners.

 

The benefits of this tradition of hosting the 4 Way Test speaking contest are many: It provides us with an insight to the young generation by establishing a benchmark which we as parents need to refer to in relation to how we want to raise our kids.

 

It gives access to our Club and to Rotary to the schools, the students and their families and provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate who we are and what Rotary offers to the community.

Finally, it inspires us with the fresh ideas coming from the point of view of young people.

 

Thank you Kim Hurley for organising this great event year after year!

 

Last Friday we also had a double induction. Manu Gupta, Financial Consultant and Richard Field, Qualified Structural Engineer joined the Club officially, as they were both attending our meetings and events long before their induction. Manu and Richard are expected to contribute significantly to our projects through their areas of expertise and we look forward to seeing them joining our Committees.

 

Sergeant Larry Hirsch had a long, much entertaining and much financially successful for the Club, Sergeant’s session by bombarding the room with fines in every possible opportunity. Forgetfulness, negligence, lateness and even… breathing, can be an opportunity for a Sergeant’s fine! According to rumors, the Sergeant works on a big project that will raise the highest funds that any Sergeant has ever raised for the Club before! 

 

Last Sunday there was another special Perth Rotary moment when 36 Rotarians and friends watched the movie “The Farewell” in support of the End Polio fundraiser. District Governor and Past President Graham Peden was the initiator of this initiative which was organised by Jonas Edner and supported by the Club’s Secretary Darren Perera and the Director of Club Services Jill Dawson. Well done to all for the great teamwork!

 

This week we have a meeting that we were all looking forward to:

 

At the Business Breakfast Club, past President and past Governor of WA, Dr Ken Michael AC will introduce Con Michael Fellow of Engineers Australia, Certified Practicing Engineer and holder of national and international awards, who will present the Smart Torch, a life changing and multi awarded invention which brings a substantial impact to business and to the communities.

 

Past President Ken Michael will also take the opportunity to tell us a few things about the history of his family as Con, apart from being a distinguished engineer is also Ken’s nephew. A very special moment indeed for us all to be there and to see the history of a family unfolding through the achievements of two very successful men.

 

Our Treasurer, Joseph  Wambua will also update us on the current status of the economy at the very interesting Treasurer’s Minute and Past President Larry Hirsch will give us an update on Rotary Means Business.

 

 

The variety and the wealth of knowledge and information that is delivered to our members and guests at the Business Breakfast Club at the Hilton can be successfully compared with the way that the rhetors in “Agora” were educating their audiences in ancient Athens through Ethos, Pathos and Logos. 

 

I’m inviting you all to be part of this “Agora” and to enjoy the benefits in your personal and business lives.