The Purpose of Satire
Will Self finds himself driven to reconsider the nature and purpose of satire in the wake of the murders at Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
Will Self finds himself driven to reconsider the nature and purpose of satire in the wake of the murders at Charlie Hebdo in Paris. "The paradox is this: if satire aims at the moral reform of a given society it can only be effective within that particular society; and furthermore only if there's a commonly accepted ethical hierarchy to begin with. A satire that demands of the entire world that it observe the same secularist values as the French state is a form of imperialism like any other.".
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A Point of View: What's the point of satire?
Satire is supposed to prick people's consciences and challenge the powerful - but is that possible in a society where no-one can agree the basis of right and wrong, asks Will Self.
Credit
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Will Self |
Broadcasts
- Fri 13 Feb 2015 20:50Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 15 Feb 2015 08:48Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Podcast
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A Point of View
A weekly reflection on a topical issue.