For submission to the special issue Philosophy of Communication
Intelligent Design is a philosophy that has grown out of Creationism, but attempts to rhetorically separate itself from Creationism through the language of science in an effort to be taught in schools. In this article, I argue that ID relies on Giambattista Vico’s notion of ingenium to achieve persuasive power. Ultimately, however, I find that it fails to resonate with both creationists and scientists because it borrows a claim from the former and grounds from the latter, which allows for neither group to make the required intuitive leap. Ingenium, therefore, cannot carry ID to rhetorical success.
Key words: Ingenium, Intelligent Design, Vico, Rhetorical Criticism
|