Therapeutic Effect of Self-liberation in Sonic Sublime under the Light of Spinoza's Ethics of Joy in Ann Radcliffe's Selected Novels

Jahanfrouz, Saloomeh; Borzabadi Farahani, Hojatollah; Moradi, Hossein

doi:10.22059/jop.2026.401295.1006944

Therapeutic Effect of Self-liberation in Sonic Sublime under the Light of Spinoza's Ethics of Joy in Ann Radcliffe's Selected Novels

Document Type : Scientific-research

Authors

Saloomeh Jahanfrouz ¹

Hojatollah Borzabadi Farahani ²

Hossein Moradi ³

¹ Ph.D. Candidate in English Language and Literature, Department of English Language, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature, Department of English, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.

³ Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature, Department of English, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

10.22059/jop.2026.401295.1006944

Abstract

This research examines the connection between Spinoza’s “Ethics of Joy” and the aesthetics of the sublime in Ann Radcliffe’s novels. It posits that Spinoza’s concept of joy—as a transition from passivity to activity and an increase in “ontological power”—is central to how Radcliffe’s characters engage with the sublime in nature and music. Contrary to the typical Gothic association of the sublime with fear, this study argues that Radcliffe uses music and nature to create an “epistemic liberation.” This experience, aligned with Spinoza’s “intellectual intuition” and its resulting pleasure, views the sublime not as subject destruction, but as a connection to the totality of existence (Substance). Music acts as a metaphysical mediator, resolving internal conflicts into lasting harmony and joy.

Keywords

Epistemic Liberation

Ontological power

aesthetics of sublime

Spinoza's Ethics of Joy

intellectual intuition

Subjects

philosophy

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