The spirit of irony and the problem of negativity
This essay argues that irony is a necessary and central part of the spirit that animates principled speech. The notion that irony is negative, especially as expressed by Kierkegaard, is examined from within by re-presenting the negative ironist in dialogue. This presentation has as its purpose the discovery and elucidation of the crisis of negative irony. The crisis is then developed as initiating reflection on the problems of temperance and justice. The problem of temperance is raised through the negative ironists experience of anger. Anger raises the problem of speech's relationship to nature. Temperance as self-mastery in our relation to nature is developed through the notion of the mastery of anger. Through an examination of Plato's Charmides the argument is advanced that the development of justice depends upon temperance, since, ironically, justice tends to originate in a type of intemperance. Temperance educates justice by nurturing its Desire for value. It enables justice to mature through the work of re-enlivening and re-valuing inheritance. Temperate justice is the positive development of resource towards the realization of value. It is embodied in Socrates' ironic relation to nature. The problem
Colfer, Patrick W.
Philosophy
The spirit of irony and the problem of negativity. This essay argues that irony is a necessary and central part of the spirit that animates principled speech. The notion that irony is negative, especially as expressed by Kierkegaard, is examined from within by re-presenting the negative ironist in dialogue. This presentation has as its purpose the discovery and elucidation of the crisis of negative irony. The crisis is then developed as initiating reflection on the problems of temperance and justice. The problem of temperance is raised through the negative ironists experience of anger. Anger raises the problem of speech's relationship to nature. Temperance as self-mastery in our relation to nature is developed through the notion of the mastery of anger. Through an examination of Plato's Charmides the argument is advanced that the development of justice depends upon temperance, since, ironically, justice tends to originate in a type of intemperance. Temperance educates justice by nurturing its Desire for value. It enables justice to mature through the work of re-enlivening and re-valuing inheritance. Temperate justice is the positive development of resource towards the realization of value. It is embodied in Socrates' ironic relation to nature. The problem
spirit irony problem negativity essay argue irony necessary central_part spirit animate principled speech notion irony negative especially express kierkegaard examine within presenting negative dialogue presentation purpose discovery elucidation crisis negative irony crisis develop initiate reflection problem temperance justice problem temperance raise negative experience anger anger raise_problem speech relationship nature temperance self mastery relation nature develop notion mastery anger examination plato argument_advance development justice depend_upon temperance since ironically justice tends originate type temperance educate justice nurture desire value enables justice mature work valuing inheritance temperate justice positive development resource towards realization value embody socrates ironic relation nature problem