Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming - the Great Delusion

Kevin Breuninger Prof. Jerry Phillips Prof. Harris Fairbanks English 3633W 23 February 2012 Rhetorical Analysis, â€Å" Global Warming – The Great Delusion† Matt Patterson argues in â€Å"Global Warming – The Great Delusion† that the alleged scientific consensus surrounding the theory of global warming is based not on fact, but rather on a web of mass hysteria and deceit. Patterson contends that â€Å"In fact, global warming is the most widespread mass hysteria in our species’ history†, and that the beliefs of global warming proponents are the result of their own delusional imaginations and a subconscious apocalyptic yearning toward which masses of people tend to subject themselves. While Patterson worries that what he perceives to be the†¦show more content†¦Patterson expresses a fear that â€Å"Man will be convinced by these climate cultists to turn his back on the very political, economic, and scientific institutions that made him so powerful, so wealthy, so healthy†. By framing his argument in a way that transiti ons from highlighting the scientific ignorance of global warming to the policies that such a worldview could impact, Patterson attempts to establish a chain of logic that justifies his concern for global warming as an influence on government. The language used in the sentence (â€Å"climate cultists† trying to convince â€Å"Man†, turning their back on beneficial institutions) also implies to the reader that the proponents of global warming are actively attempting to undermine the institutions that have allowed humankind to thrive in the modern world. This opinion is underlined later in the article, when Patterson contemplates why many â€Å"hope† for climate change catastrophe. At this point, Patterson approaches the core of his argument, wherein he provides what he believes to be sufficient evidence that the idea global warming will soon cease to be a threat to the progress. He argues that the â€Å"fever is breaking, as more and more scientists come forward to admit their doubts about the global warming paradigm†. The use of a fever as aShow MoreRelatedOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagescontribute to our understanding of organizations. Professor Tomas Mà ¼llern, Jà ¶nkà ¶ping International Business School, Sweden . McAuley, Duberley and Johnson’s Organizational Theory takes you on a joyful ride through the developments of one of the great enigmas of our time – How should we understand the organization? Jan Ole Similà ¤, Assistant Professor, Nord-Trà ¸ndelag University College, Norway I really enjoyed this new text and I am sure my students will enjoy it, too. It combines rigorous theoretical