Godwin and the Book: Imagining Media 1783-1836

Godwin and the Book explores the relationship of media form to social futurity in Romantic-period Britain through William Godwin's writing, arguing that he defended inherited beliefs about intellectual perfectibility through books and reading. It highlights wider debates and their impact on British prose.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Godwin and the Book: A Network of Controversies Concerning the Relationship of Media Form to Social Futurity in Romantic-Period Britain
William Godwin ({PHONE}) was a notorious philosopher-novelist who lived in Romantic-period Britain. His writing explored a network of controversies concerning the relationship of media form to social futurity. Godwin's fifty-year corpus was re-examined in Godwin and the Book, using evidence from his fiction, philosophy, and essays to argue that he figured books and reading in particular ways in order to defend a set of inherited beliefs about intellectual perfectibility. The book highlights many wider debates that marked out the culture of this period, including disagreements over the physiology of the mind, the ethics of novel-reading, and the social consequences of death. It also considers how these debates were intertwined with the formal development of British prose in the period.

Godwin's writing was characterized by a deep interest in the relationship between media form and social futurity. He believed that books and reading were essential tools for shaping the future of society. He argued that books could provide a means of transmitting knowledge and ideas, and that reading could help individuals develop their intellectual abilities. However, he also believed that books could be dangerous if they were not used responsibly.

One of the key controversies that Godwin explored in his writing was the relationship between the mind and the body. He believed that the mind was a separate entity from the body, and that it was capable of independent thought and action. However, he also believed that the mind was influenced by the body, and that it could be damaged by physical trauma. This led to debates over the ethics of novel-reading, particularly in relation to the depiction of violence and sexual content.

Godwin's writing also addressed the social consequences of death. He believed that death was a natural part of life, and that it should be treated with dignity and respect. However, he also believed that death could have negative consequences for society, particularly in relation to the loss of knowledge and expertise. This led to debates over the ethics of euthanasia and the right to die.

In addition to these controversies, Godwin's writing was also characterized by a strong sense of social justice. He believed that society should be organized in a way that promotes equality and fairness for all individuals. He argued that the media should play a role in promoting these values, and that books should be used to educate individuals about social issues.

Godwin's writing was widely read and influential during his lifetime. His novels, such as "Caleb Williams" and "Mandeville," were praised for their innovative and thought-provoking content. His essays, such as "The Enquirer" and "The Impartial Observer," were also widely read and influential.

However, Godwin's writing was also controversial. Some of his ideas were seen as radical and controversial, and they were often criticized by other writers and thinkers. For example, his belief in the perfectibility of the human mind was seen as naive and unrealistic by many.

Despite these controversies, Godwin's writing continues to be relevant and important today. His ideas about the relationship of media form to social futurity are still relevant, and his writing continues to inspire new generations of writers and thinkers.

In conclusion, Godwin and the Book explores a network of controversies concerning the relationship of media form to social futurity in Romantic-period Britain through the writing of William Godwin. It offers a fresh reading of Godwin's fifty-year corpus, using evidence from his fiction, philosophy, and essays to argue that he figured books and reading in particular ways in order to defend a set of inherited beliefs about intellectual perfectibility. The book highlights many wider debates that marked out the culture of this period, including disagreements over the physiology of the mind, the ethics of novel-reading, and the social consequences of death. It also considers how these debates were intertwined with the formal development of British prose in the period. Godwin's writing continues to be relevant and important today, and his ideas about the relationship of media form to social futurity are still relevant.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474475761