Paralipsis: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Paralipsis: Etymology and Term
The term “paralipsis” has its roots in the Greek language, where “paraleipsis” means “omission” or “leaving aside.” It is a rhetorical device that involves drawing attention to something while pretending to pass it over. Also known as apophasis, paralipsis allows the speaker or writer to emphasize a point by explicitly stating that certain topics will not be discussed, creating a sense of irony and engaging the audience’s curiosity.
Literal Meaning:
- Omission: Highlighting the deliberate exclusion of a particular subject or detail.
- Explicit Denial: Acknowledging that something will not be mentioned, thereby drawing attention to it.
Conceptual Meaning:
- Irony and Emphasis: Using the technique to ironically emphasize the very points claimed to be omitted.
- Rhetorical Strategy: Employing paralipsis as a strategic device to enhance persuasion and engage the audience’s interest.
- Manipulation of Attention: Directing focus by pretending to ignore certain elements, creating a subtle form of emphasis.
Paralipsis: Definition as a Rhetorical Device
Paralipsis, a rhetorical device, involves drawing attention to a subject by explicitly claiming it will be ignored or passed over. The speaker or writer uses this technique to ironically emphasize the very point they feign to omit, creating a subtle and impactful form of emphasis. Paralipsis is a strategic tool that engages the audience’s curiosity and can be employed to highlight sensitive topics or make a point more forcefully.
Paralipsis: Types and Examples
| Type of Paralipsis | Definition | Example |
| Simple Paralipsis | Directly stating that something will be omitted. | “I won’t even mention the rumors about his financial dealings.” |
| Occupatio | Pretending to pass over a topic while dwelling on it. | “I won’t bring up her past mistakes, but let’s focus on her skills.” |
| Ironical Paralipsis | Emphasizing a point through a feigned omission. | “I won’t comment on his lack of experience; we all know he’s a novice.” |
| Conditional Paralipsis | Stating that something could be mentioned but choosing not to. | “I could bring up his flaws, but I’ll stick to his strengths for now.” |
| Comparative Paralipsis | Claiming to ignore one topic while drawing attention to another. | “I won’t discuss her poor attendance, but let’s applaud her dedication.” |
| Strategic Paralipsis | Purposefully drawing attention to a sensitive issue. | “I won’t delve into the controversy, but it’s important to address rumors.” |
Paralipsis: Examples in Everyday Life
- Simple:
- Statement: “I won’t even mention the fact that you were late again.”
- Occupatio:
- Statement: “I don’t want to bring up your mistake, but it’s crucial for us to learn from it.”
- Ironical:
- Statement: “I won’t comment on how you always forget your keys, but it’s become a daily routine.”
- Conditional:
- Statement: “I could talk about his questionable decisions, but let’s focus on the positive outcomes for now.”
- Comparative:
- Statement: “I won’t dwell on the budget issues, but let’s celebrate the successful completion of the project.”
- Strategic:
- Statement: “I won’t mention the office gossip, but it might be wise to address communication challenges among the team.”
- Simple:
- Statement: “I won’t discuss the disagreements we had, but let’s find common ground for moving forward.”
- Occupatio:
- Statement: “I don’t want to bring up your missed deadlines, but we need to ensure better time management.”
- Ironical:
- Statement: “I won’t highlight your constant interruptions during meetings, but it’s something we all notice.”
- Comparative:
- Statement: “I won’t go into the details of your project delays, but let’s appreciate the quality of your final deliverables.”
Paralipsis in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Johnson, Robert. A Logic Book: Fundamentals of Reasoning. Wadsworth Publishing, 2017.
- Baronett, Stan. Logic. Oxford University Press, 2018.
- Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic. Cengage Learning, 2016.
- Copi, Irving M. and Carl Cohen. Introduction to Logic. Pearson, 2017.
- Bergmann, Merrie, James Moor, and Jack Nelson. The Logic Book. McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.
- Sainsbury, R. M. Logical Forms: An Introduction to Philosophical Logic. Wiley-Blackwell, 2019.
- Copi, Irving M., Carl Cohen, and Kenneth McMahon. Introduction to Logic. Pearson, 2017.
- Epstein, Richard L. Critical Thinking. Cengage Learning, 2016.
- Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder. Critical Thinking: The Nature of Critical and Creative Thought. Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.
- Resnik, Michael D. Choices: An Introduction to Decision Theory. University of Minnesota Press, 1987.