“If anyone needs to be persuaded of the lasting impact Chaïm Perelman’s thought still has on contemporary philosophy, rhetoric, science, and beyond, some fifty years after the appearance of The New Rhetoric, this book is a perfect guide. From sixteen essays by leading experts, there emerges a magnificent panorama of the various interpretations, extensions, and applications inspired by that treatise. The collection is made unique by the touching personal memoir by Perelman’s daughter Noémi that opens it.”—Manfred Kraus, lecturer in classics and rhetoric at the University of Tübingen, Germany 

“Leading scholars of Chaim Perelman’s work from a variety of disciplines prepared these essays on the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The New Rhetoric. They sharpen understanding of Perelman’s key concepts, explicate the ethical norms underlying the work, and extend the reach of Perelman’s theories and their practical implications. Anyone interested in Perelman and contemporary argumentation theory will want to be familiar with this book.”—David Zarefsky, Owen L. Coon Professor Emeritus of Argumentation and Debate, Northwestern University.

“Promise of Reason shows that the work of Chaim Perelman and Lucy Olbrechts-Tyteca, in its current and historical context, continues to challenge our understanding of the potentials and pitfalls of deliberation through argumentation. The New Rhetoric is simultaneously foundational and cutting edge. The collection pursues issues until now ignored in Perelman scholarship, ranging from the role Olbrechts-Tyteca played in the text to specifics of Perelman’s biography. It is an exciting and engaging collection, and will, as it is intended to do, reawaken interest in The New Rhetoric.”—Patricia Roberts-Miller, professor, department of rhetoric and writing, University of Texas at Austin