Temptation of Irony. Could Irony Assume the Role of Critique? Cover Image

Iskušenje ironije. Može li ironija igrati ulogu kritike?
Temptation of Irony. Could Irony Assume the Role of Critique?

Author(s): Nevena Jevtić
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel; Romanticism; subjectivity; irony; critique; philosophy

Summary/Abstract: This article investigates a possible critical role of irony according to Hegel’s notions of irony and critique. Hegel sees artistic endeavour of romanticism as »life of a phoenix of spirit«, and points out that irony, while being a certain pseudo creation, truly is consistent with a role of being the highest form of that art. However, in the work of early romantic theoreticians, Hegel recognizes an attempt to formulate irony as a philosophical principle. Regarding this fundamental and positive motif of Hegel’s interpretation of irony, this article tries to present also the negative moments of Hegel’s critique of irony: as an empty-headed play with serious matters, which is essentially not interested in or motivated by “substantial interests”. This is why it is eventually indicated by this article that irony would be ineffective in trying to assume a critical role, since it is tied to the field of subjectivity and finitude.

  • Issue Year: 33/2013
  • Issue No: 02/130
  • Page Range: 229-241
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Croatian