Irony

Irony encompasses a broad set of forms of expression and thought that tend to exploit the difference between expectations, reality, or any number of ideas. A classic and simple example of irony is verbal irony, where what is said signifies the opposite of what is truly meant. More sophisticated instances of irony may not show such a clear dichotomy. Examples include sitcoms, which use the detachment between the viewer, the show, and reality for comedic effect, or post-ironic memes, which can contain multiple contradictory strains of meaning.

Irony in Internet memes

In the context of memes, this is often text paired with a facial expression that encourages an ironic interpretation of the text. For example, condescending memes of Willy Wonka were an early form of memes expressing irony.

This form of comedy has become a staple form of expression in meme culture as it functions well memetically. Ironic memes have evolved from merely using ironic text paired with an image that suggests an ironic interpretation, to being self-ironic insofar as the humour of an ironic meme comes from it's absurd non-humour. An example of a self-ironic meme can be seen with the Markiplier "E" meme, where the image and text are devoid of meaning, yet we're still able to ascertain humour from it, thus it's self-ironic by being a meme (which is conventionally supposed to be humorous) and inverting the expectation of memes in much the same way that ironic memes invert the meaning of the text by way of the image used.

Philosophy of irony

Socrates

In Plato's Republic, the initial discussion is between Socrates, Cephalus and his son Polemarchus. The main focus of the discussion is about the nature of justice between Socrates and Polemarchus in which Socrates asks Polemarchus a plethora of questions to ease him into an attackable position so that Socrates might correct his interlocutor to further his own view on the topic without presenting anything to be attacked by Polemarchus. Thrasymachus, who has been watching this discussion unfold, notices the way that Socrates is feigning ignorance of the topic to coerce Polemarchus to his side and remarks: "What nonsense has possessed you and Polemarchus all this time, Socrates? And why do you play the fool together with your mutual complaisance? No; if you really wish to understand what justice is, do not confine yourself to asking questions..."

This idea of Socrates pretending to not know what he's talking about, and asking his interlocutor questions clarifying the topic to identify flaws in his interlocutor's position is known as Socratic Irony. Commonly known as simply "playing dumb", it's a tool used in arguments to get someone to put forward information they might not have put forward had they known you would call them out for it. In the case of Socrates, what we see is Socrates having a view of the nature of justice, but withholding it so as to get more information on the topic out of Polemarchus so that he can poke holes in Polemarchus' position, and ultimately guide him into Socrates' position.