Philosophical investigations of the taboo of insult

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

What makes something an insult? There are various ways of insulting someone. We can insult directly or indirectly, via omission or commission, verbally or non-verbally, or with explicitly marked expressions or seemingly mundane language. What, if anything, ties all of these instances together under the banner of insult? And how does insult work? In this chapter, the concept of ‘insult’ is explored, offering a characterization of it as a mechanism that undermines reasonable expectations of respect. Attention is then turned to linguistic insults to investigate how they work, drawing on insights from Ernest Lepore and Matthew Stone. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how slur terms fit, raising and responding to possible objections to the account of their discursive role.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Taboo Words and Language
EditorsKeith Allan
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages233-247
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780191845871
ISBN (Print)9780198808190
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Figurative language
  • Imaginative engagement
  • Insult
  • Respect
  • Slurs
  • Speech act

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities
  • General Social Sciences

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