INTRODUCTION

No matter who we are or where we are, we cannot escape communication. Whether confessing that you’re in love with someone, or instructing someone to work faster, or convincing someone that they should buy a new phone, these are all different sorts of communication with others. It is the building block of our day-to-day life, and our personality inevitably will influence the persuasive tactics we use most comfortably and frequently.

Aristotle proposed three pillars of persuasion: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos. In my typology system, Rhetoristics, inspired by PY and enneagram, I intend to draw a correlation between these rhetorical techniques and personality types!

HOW TO TYPE YOURSELF

In this system, there are two components.

1. Your Base Type. It is constructed with pillars, and they are Logos, Pathos, and Ethos. The type consists of a Dominant (and Auxiliary) pillar. Some people have two pillars that work simultaneously with each other, while others only have one Dominant pillar.*

2. Your C-Type. There are three types as well – Connect, Control, and Comply. Since they represent a spectrum, you can only identify with one C-Type.

*note that the pillars are not defined by how developed each mode of persuasion is, but what you find yourself most comfortable using. For example, being a Pathos or Ethos-Dominant does not make you any less clever than a Logos-Dominant.

LOGOS (L)

Logos (λόγος) represents the domain of thought. It embodies human rationality and a universal divine order structured by laws. In people, this aspect governs our cognition, problem-solving and logical thinking. On top of that, in day-to-day communication, it can be about dialectics and contradictions, seeking the best answers through thorough analysis.

Individuals with Logos in their Base Type are rational, somewhat critical, and enjoy both problem-finding and problem-solving. This doesn’t just include intellectual pursuits like mathematics or typology, but also decisions, like finding out the best time to invest in a certain stock through pattern-spotting or comparing between different products and choosing the best one.

PATHOS (P)

Pathos (πάθος) represents the domain of feeling. It embodies suffering, experience and passion, elements synonymous with storytelling. More notably, it is about emotion: sadness, joy, lust, anger, etc. In people, this aspect governs our ability to relate to others through anecdotes and emotional appeal.

Individuals with Pathos in their Base Type are empathetic, artistic, can be emotionally manipulative, and enjoy forming connections between people. Even if it seems that these people are highly gregarious, this is not always the case. Some may prefer large social gatherings where they can express themselves, but some prefer exerting influence in one-to-one connections. Both are alright, and it doesn’t make you any less of this type.

ETHOS (E)

Ethos (ἦθος) represents the domain of action. It embodies the fundamental spirit of a person or era. Additionally, it is about character, guiding beliefs, habits and customs. In people, this aspect governs our ability to enact change, either in our lives by hoarding a bunch of achievements and continuously striving for more, or enact change in society.

Individuals with Ethos in their Base Type are polarised into two extremes. They can either represent strict adherence to dogma, identifying with achievement and what they ought to do, or the opposite, where they end up rebelling against the established customs and seek reformation. This can be influenced by your C-Type. Most of the time, they’re very distinct in what they do, which can obviously be good or bad depending on the situation.

BASE TYPE DIAGRAM

C-TYPE

Connect (CT): Either can swing from passivity to aggression, or in ideal cases, establish egalitarian relationships between people of all kinds. Concerned with linking people together: others or themselves with an individual/group.

Control (CL): Represents aggression and establishes relationships with others where they are predominantly exerting their influence. Concerned with establishing power over their environment, for safety, satisfaction or other reasons.

Comply (CY): Represents passivity and establishes relationships with others where they are predominantly accepting others’ influence. In some cases, they can deny the influence of others, but will seek avoidance rather than retaliation. Concerned with accepting power or moving away from the concept all together.

TYPE NOTATION

1. For the Base Type, decide whether you have both a Dominant and an Auxiliary pillar (e.g. Logos-Ethos, LE), or just a Dominant one (e.g Pathos-Dominant, PD).

2. Dominant is your most comfortable pillar, which tends to be overused if unhealthy. If applicable, an Auxiliary supports the Dominant, either positively or negatively.

3. Attach your Base Type to a C-Type (CT, CL, or CY). You can only choose one.

Type Examples:

Pathos-Logos Base Type + Connect C-type

PL-CT

Ethos-Dominant Base Type + Control C-type

ED-CL

In total, there are 27 possible combinations.