Emotivist Theory in Literature

Introduction to Emotivist Theory in Literature

Emotivist Theory in literature, rooted in moral philosophy, underscores the emotional and ethical facets of literary texts. It asserts that a work’s moral and ethical content is best comprehended as an expression of the author’s or character’s emotions and attitudes rather than objective moral certainties. Emotivist analysis in literature often delves into the emotional impact of characters’ actions and their moral dilemmas, aiming to unveil the underlying emotional and ethical motivations. This approach offers a deeper insight into the intricate moral landscapes within literary narratives and underscores the subjective nature of ethical judgments in literary works. Emotivist Theory serves as a valuable tool for scrutinizing how literature elicits emotional responses and shapes ethical perspectives.

Emotivist Theory in Literature: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments

Origin:

• Emotivist Theory emerged in the early to mid-20th century, evolving from discussions in ethics and meta-ethics.

Major Theorists:

• A.J. Ayer: A prominent British philosopher who significantly contributed to the development of emotivism.
• Charles Stevenson: Another influential philosopher who expanded and refined emotivist ideas.
• R.M. Hare: A key theorist who further advanced emotivism within the field of ethics.

Key Works:

• A.J. Ayer’s Language, Truth, and Logic (1936): Ayer’s seminal work laid the foundation for emotivism, emphasizing that moral statements express emotions and attitudes rather than objective facts.
• Charles Stevenson’s Ethics and Language (1944): Stevenson’s contributions expanded emotivism as a comprehensive ethical theory, highlighting the role of emotions in moral language.
• R.M. Hare’s The Language of Morals (1952): Hare’s work further developed emotivist principles, particularly focusing on the use of moral language and its connection to emotions.

Core Arguments:

• Ethical statements, including those within literature, serve as expressions of emotions and attitudes, rather than representing objective moral truths.
• In literary analysis, examining the emotional and ethical motivations of authors and characters enriches our understanding of the work’s moral and emotional dimensions.
• Emotivist Theory provides a valuable perspective for exploring how literature elicits emotional responses and shapes ethical viewpoints through its narrative, characters, and language.

Emotivist Theory in literature enhances the appreciation of the emotional and moral complexities in literary texts, underlining the subjective nature of ethical judgments within them.

Principles of Emotivist Theory in Literature

Emotivism is based on several key principles. Here are main principles of emotivist theory:

Principal	Detail Explanation	Example from Short Stories
Subjectivity	Emotivism emphasizes the subjective nature of moral and emotional judgments. It sees them as expressions of personal emotions or attitudes rather than objective facts.	In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, readers’ emotional responses may vary based on their personal attitudes towards tradition, violence, and conformity.
Emotion	Emotivism places a strong emphasis on emotions as the basis for moral and emotional judgments. It prioritizes personal emotions over reason or logic.	In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the intense emotions experienced by the unreliable narrator strongly influence the reader’s perception of the story’s events.
Expressivism	Emotivism is also known as expressivism because it views moral and emotional judgments as expressions of personal feelings or attitudes, not objective descriptions.	In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” the protagonist’s emotional reaction to the news of her husband’s death reflects the author’s exploration of freedom and societal constraints.
Evaluation	Emotivism, despite its focus on subjectivity, allows for the evaluation of moral and emotional judgments. It advocates assessing them for consistency and coherence.	In James Joyce’s “Araby,” readers can critically evaluate the protagonist’s emotional journey and its implications on his understanding of love, disillusionment, and adulthood.

Suggested Readings

1. Ayer, Alfred J. Language, Truth, and Logic. 2nd ed. New York: Dover, 1946.
2. Blackburn, Simon. Spreading the Word: Groundings in the Philosophy of Language. Oxford: Clarendon, 1984.
3. Ebbersmeyer, Sabrina. Emotional minds: the passions and the limits of pure inquiry in early modern philosophy. de Gruyter, 2012.
4. Hare, Richard M. The Language of Morals. Oxford: Clarendon, 1952.
5. Mackie, J. L. Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1990.
6. Oatley, Keith. Emotion: A Brief History. Wiley-Blackwell, 2004.
7. Stevenson, Charles L. Ethics and Language. New Haven: Yale UP, 1944.