Comic Relief
A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor
Published on 3. November 2009
208 pages
978-1-4443-0780-1 (ISBN)
Description
Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor developsan inclusive theory that integrates psychological, aesthetic, andethical issues relating to humor
* Offers an enlightening and accessible foray into the seriousbusiness of humor
* Reveals how standard theories of humor fail to explain its truenature and actually support traditional prejudices against humor asbeing antisocial, irrational, and foolish
* Argues that humor's benefits overlap significantly withthose of philosophy
* Includes a foreword by Robert Mankoff, Cartoon Editor of TheNew Yorker
Reviews / Votes
"As an intelligent treatment of what humor is and what it means,this work raises significant questions and proposes plausibleanswers." (CHOICE, September 2010) "Of all of the humor scholars I know, John Morreall is the best atmaking original, fascinating, and useful observations. We shouldall be grateful that in Comic Relief he has once moredemonstrated--in his witty and accessible style--that the playethic is as important as the work ethic." -Don L. F. Nilsen, International Society for HumorStudies "Comic Relief is an engaging, wide-ranging discussion ofhow humor is defined within the disciplines of philosophy andhistory, as well as a brilliant and comprehensive overview of howit is used today. This book is a superb addition to the body ofgenuinely important works on humor." -Regina Barreca, University of ConnecticutMore details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2009
1st Edition
Wiley
€50.50
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Person
John Morreall's previous publications include Taking Laughter Seriously (1983); The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor (1987); Humor Works (1997); and Comedy, Tragedy, and Religion (1999). In 2004 and 2005, he was elected President of the International Society for Humor Studies. His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Economist.
Content
Foreword - Robert Mankoff, Cartoon Editor of The New Yorker.
Preface.
1 No Laughing Matter: The Traditional Rejection of Humor andTraditional Theories of Humor.
Humor, Anarchy, and Aggression.
The Superiority Theory: Humor as Anti-social.
The Incongruity Theory: Humor as Irrational.
The Relief Theory: Humor as a Pressure Valve.
The Minority Opinion of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas: Humor asPlayful Relaxation.
The Relaxation Theory of Robert Latta.
2 Fight or Flight - or Laughter: The Psychology ofHumor.
Humor and Disengagement.
Humor as Play.
Laughter as a Play Signal.
3 From Lucy to "I Love Lucy": The Evolution of Humor.
What Was First Funny?
The Basic Pattern in Humor: The Playful Enjoyment of a CognitiveShift Is Expressed in Laughter.
The Worth of Mirth.
4 That Mona Lisa Smile: The Aesthetics of Humor.
Humor as Aesthetic Experience.
Humor and Other Ways of Enjoying Cognitive Shifts: The Funny,Tragic, Grotesque, Macabre, Horrible, Bizarre, and Fantastic.
Tragedy vs. Comedy: Is Heavy Better than Light?
Enough with the Jokes: Spontaneous vs. Prepared Humor.
5 Laughing at the Wrong Time: The Negative Ethics of Humor.
Eight Traditional Moral Objections.
The Shortcomings in the Contemporary Ethics of Humor.
A More Comprehensive Approach: The Ethics of Disengagement.
First Harmful Effect: Irresponsibility.
Second Harmful Effect: Blocking Compassion.
Third Harmful Effect: Promoting Prejudice.
6 Having a Good Laugh: The Positive Ethics of Humor.
Intellectual Virtues Fostered by Humor.
Moral Virtues Fostered by Humor.
Humor during the Holocaust.
7 Homo Sapiens and Homo Ridens: Philosophy and Comedy.
Was Socrates the First Stand-up Comedian?
Humor and the Existentialists.
The Laughing Buddha.
8 The Glass Is Half-Empty and Half-Full: ComicWisdom.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.
