Ki, Magdalen,
Jane Austen and altruism / Magdalen Ki. - 1 online resource. - Routledge studies in nineteenth-century literature .
The Austen family and the altruism problem -- Psychopathy and sympathy in Northanger Abbey -- Costly signaling and the handicap principle in Sense and sensibility -- Kin and kith altruism in Pride and prejudice -- Survival of the nicest in Mansfield Park -- Pathological altruism in Emma -- Punishment in persuasion -- Afterword: the choice of altruism.
"Jane Austen and Altruism identifies a compelling theme, namely, the view that Jane Austen propounds a rigorous, boundary-sensitive model of altruism that counters the human propensity to selfishness and promotes the culture of cooperation. In her days, altruism was commonly known as "benevolence", "charity," or "philanthropy", and these concepts overlap with Auguste Comte's later definition of altruism as "otherism". This volume argues that Austen's thinking co-opts the evolutionary idea that altruism is seldom truly pure, egoism cannot be eradicated, and boundless group altruism is not sustainable. However, given that she comes from a naval and clergy family, she witnesses the power of wartime patriotism, the Evangelical revival, the Regency culture of politeness, and the sentimental novels. In her novels, she locates human relationships along an altruism continuum that ranges from enlightened selfishness to pathological altruism. Unconditional love is hard to find, but empathy, kin altruism, reciprocal exchange, and group altruism are key to the formation of self-identity, family, community and the nation state"--
9781000650617 1000650618 9780429324888 042932488X 9781000650150 1000650154 9781000650389 1000650383
Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 --Ethics.
Altruism in literature.
Self-sacrifice in literature.
LITERARY CRITICISM / General
PR4038.E8
823/.7
Jane Austen and altruism / Magdalen Ki. - 1 online resource. - Routledge studies in nineteenth-century literature .
The Austen family and the altruism problem -- Psychopathy and sympathy in Northanger Abbey -- Costly signaling and the handicap principle in Sense and sensibility -- Kin and kith altruism in Pride and prejudice -- Survival of the nicest in Mansfield Park -- Pathological altruism in Emma -- Punishment in persuasion -- Afterword: the choice of altruism.
"Jane Austen and Altruism identifies a compelling theme, namely, the view that Jane Austen propounds a rigorous, boundary-sensitive model of altruism that counters the human propensity to selfishness and promotes the culture of cooperation. In her days, altruism was commonly known as "benevolence", "charity," or "philanthropy", and these concepts overlap with Auguste Comte's later definition of altruism as "otherism". This volume argues that Austen's thinking co-opts the evolutionary idea that altruism is seldom truly pure, egoism cannot be eradicated, and boundless group altruism is not sustainable. However, given that she comes from a naval and clergy family, she witnesses the power of wartime patriotism, the Evangelical revival, the Regency culture of politeness, and the sentimental novels. In her novels, she locates human relationships along an altruism continuum that ranges from enlightened selfishness to pathological altruism. Unconditional love is hard to find, but empathy, kin altruism, reciprocal exchange, and group altruism are key to the formation of self-identity, family, community and the nation state"--
9781000650617 1000650618 9780429324888 042932488X 9781000650150 1000650154 9781000650389 1000650383
Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 --Ethics.
Altruism in literature.
Self-sacrifice in literature.
LITERARY CRITICISM / General
PR4038.E8
823/.7