Irony in the Age of Empire: Comic Perspectives on Democracy and Freedom (American Philosophy)

Comedy, from social ridicule to the unruly laughter of the carnival, provides effective tools for reinforcing social patterns of domination as well as weapons for emancipation. In Irony in the Age of Empire , Cynthia Willett asks: What could embody liberation better than laughter? Why do the oppressed laugh? What vision does the comic world prescribe? For Willett, the comic trumps standard liberal accounts of freedom by drawing attention to bodies, affects, and intimate relationships, topics which are usually neglected by political philosophy. Willett's philosophical reflection on comedy issues a powerful challenge to standard conceptions of freedom by proposing a new kind of freedom that is unapologetically feminist, queer, and multiracial. This book provides a wide-ranging, original, thoughtful, and expansive discussion of citizenship, social manners, and political freedom in our world today. Comedy, From Social Ridicule To The Unruly Laughter Of The Carnival, Provides Effective Tools For Reinforcing Social Patterns Of Domination As Well As Weapons For Emancipation. In Irony In The Age Of Empire, Cynthia Willett Asks: What Could Embody Liberation Better Than Laughter? Why Do The Oppressed Laugh? What Vision Does The Comic World Prescribe? For Willett, The Comic Trumps Standard Liberal Accounts Of Freedom By Drawing Attention To Bodies, Affects, And Intimate Relationships, Topics Which Are Usually Neglected By Political Philosophy. Willett's Philosophical Reflection On Comedy Issues A Powerful Challenge To Standard Conceptions Of Freedom By Proposing A New Kind Of Freedom That Is Unapologetically Feminist, Queer, And Multiracial--publisher Description. Laughter Against Hubris : A Preemptive Strike -- Laughing To Keep From Crying : Cornel West, Pragmatism, And Progressive Comedy -- Authenticity In An Age Of Satire : Ellison, Sartre, Bergson, And Spike Lee's Bamboozled -- Engage The Enemy : Cavell, Comedies Of Remarriage, And The Politics Of Friendship -- Three Concepts Of Freedom. Cynthia Willett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 149-166) And Index. Comedy, from social ridicule to the laughter of the carnival, provides effective tools for reinforcing social patterns of domination and weapons for emancipation. This book states that comic trumps liberal accounts of freedom by drawing attention to bodies and intimate relationships, topics which are usually neglected by political philosophy.