Towards an Ethos of Machines: LLMs as Rhetors

Martin Hinton

doi:10.29107/rr2025.4.12

Res Rhetorica Jan 2026 OA PDF

Towards an Ethos of Machines: LLMs as Rhetors

Martin Hinton University of Łódź

Abstract

This paper argues for the critical need to develop a deepened understanding of rhetoric, particularly ethos, in light of the emergence of sophisticated AI language users as rhetorical agents. It stresses the importance of the human element in rhetorical interpretation and thus introduces the concept of the zero persona to represent the creators and stakeholders behind AI tools. Understanding machine ethos is a pressing issue because questions of trust and reliability are at the forefront of society’s concerns over the use of this technology.

Journal: Res Rhetorica
Published: 2026-01-06
DOI: 10.29107/rr2025.4.12
CompPile
Open Access: OA PDF Diamond
Topics: rhetorical criticism argument
Export: BibTeX RIS

Citation context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (0)

No references on file for this article.

CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Towards an Ethos of Machines: LLMs as Rhetors

Abstract

Citation context

Cited by in this index (0)

References (0)

Related articles