Uncivil Mirth: Ridicule in Enlightenment Britain

In eighteenth-century Britain, ridicule was used to promote religious toleration, abolition, and political justice. Philosophers and polemicists sought a humane form of ridicule to expose hypocrisy, challenge authority, and deflate the powerful. Uncivil Mirth examines how this trend emerged and how it was debated by leading thinkers such as the Third Earl of Shaftesbury and David Hume.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The eighteenth century in Britain witnessed a significant shift in the cultural landscape, marked by the relaxation of censorship laws. This liberalization led to a surge in satirical works, including caricatures, comic hoaxes, and satires, which were used to challenge societal norms and institutions. While some critics warned that ridicule could lead to moral decay and undermine public discourse, others saw it as a powerful tool for social change.

One of the most prominent figures in the debate over ridicule was the Third Earl of Shaftesbury, who believed that it could be used to expose hypocrisy, challenge authority, and promote religious toleration. Shaftesbury's ideas were widely influential, and his writings on the subject were widely read and debated.

In his book "Uncivil Mirth," Ross Carroll explores how ridicule was used in eighteenth-century Britain to promote the causes of religious toleration, abolition, and political justice. Carroll argues that ridicule was not just a tool for amusement but a means of social criticism and reform. He demonstrates how leading thinkers of the period, such as David Hume, Mary Wollstonecraft, and others, debated the value of ridicule in the fight against intolerance, fanaticism, and hubris.

Carroll's book provides a fresh perspective on the eighteenth century, showing how the Age of Reason was also an Age of Ridicule. He argues that ridicule was used to challenge the dominant ideologies of the time and to promote a more inclusive and democratic society. At the same time, Carroll recognizes the risks associated with ridicule, such as the potential for it to be used to harm or marginalize certain groups.

Overall, "Uncivil Mirth" is a valuable contribution to the study of eighteenth-century British culture and society. It provides a nuanced understanding of the role of ridicule in shaping public discourse and social change, and it sheds light on the complex relationship between humor, power, and social justice.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691241777