Thomas More & “HUMANISM”

1. Thomas More & “HUMANISM” • Through the Middle Ages, the focus of scholars was on law, medicine, nature and theology. Known as Scholasticism, it valued: • Rule of Law (making people safe) • “Natural Philosophy” [i.e. Science] (making people practical) • Healing (making people healthy) • Ultimate Truths (making people certain by logic.) • As the Renaissance progressed, values changed to what became known as Humanism. It valued: • Studia humanitatis (the “Humanities”): • Grammar • Rhetoric • History • Moral philosophy • All toward making people wise & virtuous citizens & rulers of rising concept of Nation-States

2. HUMANISM, con`t. • 16th C. saw Humanism rise in northern Europe Thomas More & Erasmus of Rotterdam were foundational. • Humanism focused on the human—individual citizen or ruler—over nature or God. • Humanism’s primary focus of study was twinned: • The Book + Classical Past • Its favoured manner of argument was to say “As the old author has written…” • Lead the transformative technology of Gutenberg..

3. IRONY • A classical mode of oral and written expression: • Used as a practical method of teaching by Socrates & Plato among the Greek philosophers, and as a Dramatic Device by the Great Greek Tragedians. • Used as a proof of sophistication and ‘cleverness’ by the great Latin (Roman) essayists—Cicero, Lucian, etc. • Valuable to More for two reasons. • As a Humanist expression and demonstration • As safety: a double meaning at a time when there was not only no freedom of expression but also not freedom of thought.

4. Irony: definition • Irony: Difference between what is said, or shown, and what is meant. • Distance between: • Statement & Intention • Promise & Action • Appearance & Reality • Irony can suggest insincerity • Antonym—or cure, is sincerity or authenticity.

5. Irony: details • Etymology: Gr. eironeia (dissimulation), (an eiron), a meaning of an utterance or a situation that is different, often opposite, to the literal one. • Comparative List (Type, Purpose; Example) • Humour: discovery —“Dr., I want a second opinion.” • Wit: enlightenment —“Quitting smoking is easy….” • Satire: amendment —”The Onion” • Sarcasm: inflicting pain —“You are really smart…” • Invective: discrediting —“Thank-you for the war…” • Cynicism: self-justification —“All politicians are crooks.” • Irony: distance—

6. Irony: Historical Development of Types • Socratic irony Socratic irony is feigning ignorance in order to expose the weakness of another’s position. • Socrates & Sacha Baron Cohen. • Roman irony or Rhetorical Irony • In Roman times, irony was used in public speaking and rhetoric: words used opposite their meaning or intent. “The honourable member ….” • A form of Verbal Irony • Use of words to convey something other than, and especially the opposite of, the literal meaning of the words. • Ogden is such a great Professor.” • famous Pride & Prejudice opening: • “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in posesssion of a large fortune must be in want of a wife.” • Dramatic Irony: audience knows something the characters in a drama do not.

7. Irony: Historical Development of Types • Situational irony • People and events coming together in improbable situations creating a tension between expected and real results. Situational irony occurs when the results of a situation are far different from what was expected. This results in a feeling of surprise and unfairness due to the odd situation. • English professor makes a spleling mistak on a spelling test. • “With Folded Hands.” [ A case of Literary (situational) Irony. ] • Irony of fate or Cosmic irony (larger Situational Irony) • The expression “irony of fate” stems from the notion that the gods (or the Fates) are amusing themselves by toying with the minds of mortals, with deliberate ironic intent. Minor examples are daily life situations such as the rain that sets in immediately after one finishes watering one’s garden, following many days of putting off watering in anticipation of rain. LIFE IS UNFAIR. • Historical Irony (cosmic irony over time): • England defeats Germany in WWI & WWII: forgives German war debts: becomes themselves bankrupt with Loan repayments to USA & Canada. • Social movements against intolerance become intolerant.

8. Situational Irony, e.g.: A ‘Welcome’ Sign on a Locked Door

9. Cosmic Irony: e.g. “The Monkey’s Paw”

10. Historical Irony, e.g.:England’s State Church Head promotes Islamic ‘Sharia’ Law in UK.

11. “TECHNOCRACY”: RULE BY TECHOLGISTS • Techocracy: • idea popular from the 1930s • a.] Scientists and Technical experts in administrative or decision making management and political positions. • b.] government technical-scientific decision-making. • c.] rational ordering of human behavior and social conduct—e.g. B.F. Skinner & Behaviorism • German National Socialists and the Soviet Union worked from technocratic principles: i.e. central planning of society and industry

12. Technocracy, con’t • Lost social credibility via its advocacy of eugenics. • Carbon Currency a revanchist technocracy idea. • Technocracy: sign on Boundary Road & Kingsway • Website. TechnocracyVan.ca