Kairos

In the textbook we are reading in class, Crowley and Hawhee explain kairos as being "a window of time during which action is most advantageous" (p.45, Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students). It is in this time of opportunity in which the success or failure of an argument, story, or a joke can be determined. Kairos can also serve as the moment of opportunity in which an argument rises. For example, gun control has been a topic of debate for hundreds of years now in the United States, but it is often at moments of despair, such as gun shootings, that lead to an upheaval of debates, policies, and laws.

In an article written last spring in Time http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1731195,00.html?cnn=yes, the Virginia Tech shooting is discussed, demonstrating that events such as this reaffirm people's thoughts about privacy rights and gun control, and rightfully so considering the kairos, or timing. A few laws have been challenged since the tragedy, both in terms of notifying parents when their child seeks counseling and allowing concealed weapons for the purpose of protection. Had it not been for the shooting or other events in which the kairos, or the proper opportunity presented itself, I feel that many issues would remain unaddressed. On the other hand, would we need to address policies and laws if not for kairos in the first place?