Mykola Ovcharov is a Ukrainian speaker, film director, and media artist who in 2009 founded the Kennedy Institute of Rhetoric, where he teaches the art of public speaking and publishes analytical articles on rhetoric, psychology, ethics, and philosophy.
In a special project of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center called “Around the Book,” he told Igor Stambol about his handbook on modern rhetoric, “Master of Public Speaking,” and the books “Small Ethics” and “Evidence-Based Argumentation.”
Rhetoric is a philosophical science that is typically studied as such in universities. That is, they study ancient texts, speeches, and techniques that were used at that time. But when it comes to modern literature, there is a lack of relevant knowledge. Especially accessible literature—so that it would be understandable and practical. My main task was to create a book that could be used by everyone, from teenagers to professional speakers who perform in courts or politicians. To make a practical book and fill it with all the necessary topics related to public speaking communication.
The author considers the book “Evidence-Based Argumentation” a priority for everyone because it develops critical thinking.
“The same ancient methods that are still alive and used by religion and politics—oratorical techniques, manipulations, and appeals—don’t prove anything, but only address our complexes, fears, instincts, common authorities, or values. This doesn’t convince or prove a position, but only unites like-minded people around their own. But if we’re talking about proving something, then you need evidence-based argumentation,” he said.
According to Ovcharov, it is used to prove one’s position with established fact. Not through intimidation or modeling some potentially probable scenario in the future, but with proven fact. And this works toward the truth of your statement, brings it closer to truthfulness, and contributes to a more constructive and rational dialogue.
“A child can use this to verify data given to them by artificial intelligence. In one video, I saw someone using artificial intelligence ask what percentage of people in Ukraine earn $1,000? In reality, artificial intelligence doesn’t have access to this research. Essentially, it has access to media articles or what’s openly available. And accordingly, it makes up all this data. This isn’t true—it needs to be verified. If I could use this, I would have written much faster. I needed a lot of research. I tried asking artificial intelligence and began to verify. I say: ‘Why are you lying to me?’ It responds: ‘Oh, sorry, I am indeed lying.’ Then I say: ‘Find truthful information.’ It makes things up again. So it doesn’t help. This needs to be verified. And when people tell you something, you need to verify all this information, or to avoid falling for propaganda, manipulation, emotional psychological influence,” noted the author of “Evidence-Based Argumentation.”
The trainer is convinced: when we use precisely proven facts in arguing our position, when we speak less, remain silent more, think more, and doubt more, this will contribute to our development.
