A Slap In The Face by William B. Irvine
Why Insults Hurt—And Why They Shouldn't
An exploration of why insults sting and the status games that make them so potent, this work blends psychology, philosophy, and everyday examples to show how verbal barbs function in social life. It categorizes different kinds of insults and the motives behind them, from dominance displays to playful teasing, and explains the cognitive and evolutionary roots of our reactions. Drawing on Stoic-inspired strategies, it offers practical methods to reduce the impact of insults—reframing, expectation management, and cultivating indifference—along with advice on when to ignore, deflect with humor, respond calmly, or set boundaries. It also considers how to avoid insulting others unintentionally and how to give criticism without needless harm.
- Published
- 2013
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Unknown
- Pages
- Unknown
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(5.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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