Satire and the Public Emotions

With insights from neuroscience and the satire of Jonathan Swift, Phiddian explores the importance of satire to free political expression.

Robert Phiddian (Author)

9781108798839, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2020

75 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 0.5 cm, 0.2 kg

The dream of political satire - to fearlessly speak truth to power - is not matched by its actual effects. This study explores the role of satirical communication in licensing public expression of harsh emotions defined in neuroscience as the CAD (contempt, anger, disgust) triad. The mobilisation of these emotions is a fundamental distinction between satirical and comic laughter. Phiddian pursues this argument particularly through an account of Jonathan Swift and his contemporaries. They played a crucial role in the early eighteenth century to make space in the public sphere for intemperate dissent, an essential condition of free political expression.

1. The functions of satire
2. Satire and the contempt, anger, disgust (CAD) triad of emotions
3. The passions, satire, and liberty of expression in the craftsman moment
4. Gulliver's Travels – 'wit, confederated with truth'
5. Epilogue. Satire in the digital age.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Psychology: emotions [JMQ], History of ideas [JFCX], Philosophy [HP], Social & cultural history [HBTB], 21st century history: from c 2000 - [HBLX], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Literature: history & criticism [DS], Literature & literary studies [D]