ABSTRACT
The one theory of Shaftesbury’s which provoked greater protest than any other was his doctrine of ridicule. The purpose of Shaftesbury’s Letter was to suggest that ridicule was a more potent weapon with which to attack fanaticism. Ridicule is a dangerous weapon to wield; and it was felt that Shaftesbury’s use of it against the French Prophets could be made with equal facility, and just as much success, against the beliefs and practices of more orthodox religion. Shaftesbury’s purpose was to secure recognition for his conviction that the evil-doer, in the long run, is ridiculous. Whatever the philosophical validity of Shaftesbury’s doctrine there can be no doubt of its wide reputation. Optimism may not of itself have given birth to satire, but it provided a theoretical vindication for the natural bent of the age. Furthermore, Shaftesbury’s application of this philosophy enabled satire to deepen its moral purpose while becoming even more trenchant.
