According to Ramage, Bean and Johnson, Kairos is derived from the Greek root word meaning “ ‘right time,’ ‘season,’ or ‘opportunity,’” (63, 116). Kairos could actually be the most important and cohesive feature of the rhetorical triangle. If an argument is presented when an audience is not in the right frame of mind to accept or ponder it; the argument is wasted on deaf ears.
In my proposal argument, I brought up the issue of hiring a county animal control officer. This proposal was discussed originally in the aftermath of a vicious dog attack. Had the proposal been made during the weeks immediately following, it would have garnered a lot of community support. If it were introduced now (several years since the mauling), the proposal would not be as effective. Sadly, another attack will have to occur in order for the timing to be right. In another paper I wrote about gun control. This is an issue that comes to the forefront most often after a mass-shooting occurs. The anti-gun crowd uses kairos to enhance their gun-ban proposals, by trying to pass gun laws in the aftermath of gun related violence.
One of the most common times Kairos is used is during political debates. For instance, in the wake of Bin Laden’s assassination, it is a prime to argue for increased funding and /or support for the CIA and elite military groups. At this time, both of these groups have favorable ratings from the public. During presidential elections, candidates offer solutions to problems that have to do with current events. In the upcoming elections, proposals will likely be made for assuaging the high price of gasoline. Now would be a good time to do this because gas prices are high. An argument for alternative fuels would be less effective during a time when gas prices were at historical lows.
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. 8th Ed. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.
Well I can tell one thing you really understand Kairos. I think the timing part of the rhetorical triangle was the easiest concept to grasp for most of us enrolled in this class. It sounds like you did have a good proposal, adding another officer would help with animal security and unemployment, but you also recognized that adding Kairos your proposal would be less effective right now. However, if another animal attack would occur you probably would have the ear of any representative trying to show the public, they are being looked after. Again, like you hinted at earlier, Obama is riding Kairos perfectly. Since Bin Laden’s death, Obama’s numbers are rising again, and quietly no one is talking about how the government almost shutdown or unemployment is still high. That is a prefect example of Kairos, in today’s society.
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