The western world (Europe) used the skills gained from rhetoric to mold themselves into political leaders, philosophers, scholars and academic teachers.

The art of rhetoric grew out of oratory, which was the central medium for intellectual and political life in ancient Greece. Legal proceedings, political debates, philosophical inquiry were all conducted through spoken discourse of the western academy.

The skills of a good orator, leader, philosopher or Socrate was measured purely
on the brilliance of his rhetorical skills (which means that; the philosopher, the Socrates etc were worshiped because of the skills and brilliance of their wisdom).
They were held in a high status of prestige because of their ability of being able to put together intellectual ideas into spoken words.

Rhetoric compared with other cultures.

Whereas in the other cultures (non western cultures) that are on the face of the earth, the essence of wisdom was attributed to their gods or the God they serve. 
To them wisdom is a gift that is given from the spiritual realm which governs one’s culture, tradition or religion.

That is why in most of the foreign cultures and traditions, there is a strong respect that is shown to the elders, spiritual leaders, and leaders of the community.

The social life style of the western world or culture is built on the leaders that are groomed from the academic studies which is structured on rhetoric.

People are gaining more knowledge to advance technology, academic studies in schools, pharmacology, synthesis, the system of trading, business, the making of money, but on the other hand; the values of human rights, justice, caring about others more than the love of money, these values are neglected.

Renaissance scholars and poets studied rhetoric closely, and it was a central concern of humanism.

Rhetoric-In other words is this; An orator might speak on any topic, with his success being measured purely on the brilliance of his rhetorical skills.

The art of rhetoric grew out of oratory, which was the central medium for intellectual and political life in ancient Greece. Legal proceedings, political debates, philosophical inquiry were all conducted through spoken discourse. 
Thus making the politicians of the western world into brilliant speakers, who used their speech to manipulate, to entice, to decieve and to make empety promises.


article taken fro wikipedia, edited by Conscious lifestyle