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A Re-reading of the Interface between Satire and Philosophy

Emmanuel Folorunso Taiwo

Discipline: Philosophy

 

Abstract:

This paper argues that there is a fundamental convergence between satire and philosophy; particularly, as it concerns the morality or behavior of individuals in the society, which incidentally is the domain of Roman satire. Moral philosophy like satire, scrutinizes the conduct of individuals in the society. That aspect of ethical thinking that deals with norms of right or wrong is known as normative ethics.1 The issues in this paper bear a close relevance to the issues of assessment of character and the behavior, which satire, whether in ancient Roman society, or modern times is concerned with. The satirist's main concern is the effect of actions on human well-being, an idea which, privileges consequentialism, an aspect of ethics that emphasizes the end result of an action. In other words, the utilitarian also bothers about the usefulness of an action as it impacts on the moral health of society.