Comic Relief
A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor
New Directions in Aesthetics
1. Auflage September 2009
202 Seiten, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-9612-3
John Wiley & Sons
Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor develops an inclusive theory that integrates psychological, aesthetic, and ethical issues relating to humor
* Offers an enlightening and accessible foray into the serious business of humor
* Reveals how standard theories of humor fail to explain its true nature and actually support traditional prejudices against humor as being antisocial, irrational, and foolish
* Argues that humor's benefits overlap significantly with those of philosophy
* Includes a foreword by Robert Mankoff, Cartoon Editor of The New Yorker
Foreword
Preface
1. No Laughing Matter: The Traditional Rejection of Humor and
Traditional Theories of Humor
2. Fight or Flight - or Laughter: The Psychology of
Humor
3. From Lucy to "I Love Lucy": The Evolution of Humor
4. That Mona Lisa Smile: The Aesthetics of Humor
5. Laughing at the Wrong Time: The Negative Ethics of Humor
6. Having a Good Laugh: The Positive Ethics of Humor
7. Homo Sapiens and Homo Ridens: Philosophy and Comedy
8. The Glass Is Half-Empty and Half-Full: Comic
Wisdom
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Preface
1. No Laughing Matter: The Traditional Rejection of Humor and
Traditional Theories of Humor
2. Fight or Flight - or Laughter: The Psychology of
Humor
3. From Lucy to "I Love Lucy": The Evolution of Humor
4. That Mona Lisa Smile: The Aesthetics of Humor
5. Laughing at the Wrong Time: The Negative Ethics of Humor
6. Having a Good Laugh: The Positive Ethics of Humor
7. Homo Sapiens and Homo Ridens: Philosophy and Comedy
8. The Glass Is Half-Empty and Half-Full: Comic
Wisdom
Notes
Bibliography
Index
"As an intelligent treatment of what humor is and what it means, this work raises significant questions and proposes plausible answers." (CHOICE, September 2010)
"Of all of the humor scholars I know, John Morreall is the best at making original, fascinating, and useful observations. We should all be grateful that in Comic Relief he has once more demonstrated--in his witty and accessible style--that the play ethic is as important as the work ethic."
-Don L. F. Nilsen, International Society for Humor Studies
"Comic Relief is an engaging, wide-ranging discussion of how humor is defined within the disciplines of philosophy and history, as well as a brilliant and comprehensive overview of how it is used today. This book is a superb addition to the body of genuinely important works on humor."
-Regina Barreca, University of Connecticut
"Of all of the humor scholars I know, John Morreall is the best at making original, fascinating, and useful observations. We should all be grateful that in Comic Relief he has once more demonstrated--in his witty and accessible style--that the play ethic is as important as the work ethic."
-Don L. F. Nilsen, International Society for Humor Studies
"Comic Relief is an engaging, wide-ranging discussion of how humor is defined within the disciplines of philosophy and history, as well as a brilliant and comprehensive overview of how it is used today. This book is a superb addition to the body of genuinely important works on humor."
-Regina Barreca, University of Connecticut
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.