File spoon-archives/bhaskar.archive/bhaskar_1998/bhaskar.9805, message 146


From: "Tobin Nellhaus" <nellhaus-AT-gwi.net>
Subject: Re: BHA: irony 
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 20:09:48 +0300


Much as I love irony, it might be useful to point out that the problem being
mooted concerns not just irony, but all forms of multiple meaning, such as
metaphors and symbols.  I think that what's at stake is not just the content
of the utterance (or other sign-form), or even its context, though both of
these may be involved.  But perhaps more important than either is the
cultural training and sensitivities involved in learning to interpret
utterances (etc) in multivalent ways.  And of course the intention or desire
to make such interpretations.  (As an old Tom Lehrer song goes, "When
correctly viewed / Everything is lewd!"  Sorry folks, I seem to be in a
singing mood today.  Must be the weather.)

By the way, it's worth noting that in the above quote, Lehrer both is being
ironic *and* means what he says.

---
Tobin Nellhaus
nellhaus-AT-gwi.net
"Faith requires us to be materialists without flinching": C.S. Peirce






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