Noting that the terms used by the Western media in describing the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran by the Ayatollah Khomeini have created the impression that the Ayatollah is both irrational and inhumane, this paper argues from contemporary eclectic rhetorical theory--that "rationality" is a function of perspective--to demonstrate that the Ayatollah is acting rationally within his world view. In addition, it argues that if social critics are to understand and explain events in Iran in an eclectic spirit, there must be some fundamental understanding of Islam--as well as an understanding that the word "republic" means something quite different in Iran than it does in the West. Using excerpts from the Koran and the Ayatollah's speeches, the paper shows the correspondence between the ancient view of the Islamic republic and the manner in which the Ayatollah has attempted to create a new legal and social order. (Author/FL)