Nicholas Diehl's 'Satire, Analogy, And Moral Philosophy'

Kiruthi Sivakumar

Professor Baez

ENGL 161

05 May 2023

Comedy and Social Issues

Comedy has been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, with its evolution reflecting changes in society and culture. From slapstick performances in the early 20th century to political satire and social commentary in the 21st century, comedy has continued to evolve alongside the changing values and beliefs of its audiences. Today, the internet and social media have enabled comedians to reach wider audiences and create new forms of comedy, such as online sketches and viral memes. Comedy is now being used as “a way to reach more young people and other viewers outside the international development community” (Sangillo). However, the role of comedy in society

Satire, according to Diehl, can be a useful tool for exposing these flaws in moral analogies by highlighting their absurdities and contradictions. By exaggerating the similarities between two situations or highlighting their differences, satire can draw attention to the limitations of moral analogies and encourage people to think more critically about their moral beliefs. This is often done through sarcasm as it is very common in our everyday language. For instance, Diehl writes, “It is certainly better for philosophers to stay in their ivory towers and leave the business of changing the world to the politicians, lobbyists, and multinational corporations. After all, what do philosophers know about real-world problems like poverty, inequality, and climate change” (Diehl)? This statement is clearly sarcastic, as it presents a view that is the opposite of Diehl's actual argument. By using sarcasm, Diehl is able to critique the idea that philosophers should avoid engaging with real-world problems and instead argues that satire can be a powerful means of addressing social

He uses his platform as a comedian to address topics such as racism, discrimination, and immigration in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. One example of how Hasan talks about current issues in “Homecoming King” is when he discusses the challenges that he faced growing up as an Indian-American in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He talks about how he and his family were subjected to discrimination and racial profiling, even though they had nothing to do with the attacks. Through his personal story, he is able to highlight the ongoing issue of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in the US. Something to note is also Minhaj’s use of the LED backdrop to display images of his family, his hometown, and other settings that are relevant to his stories. This adds visual context which helps create a more immersive experience for the audience and provides additional context for his