Humor, Laughter and Human Flourishing: A Philosophical Exploration of the Laughing Animal

ISBN-13: 9783319008332 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 100 str.

Mordechai Gordon

Opis

This book is a philosophical investigation of the significance of humor and laughter, examining its relation to other human phenomena including truth, nihilism, dreams, friendship, intimacy, aesthetic experience, self-transcendence and education. The author addresses the relative neglect of humor and laughter among philosophers of education with this volume, where the focus is on the significance of humor and laughter for human flourishing. Central questions are threaded through this work: What does the study of humor and laughter bring to philosophy and specifically to philosophy of education? How is humorist thinking different from other modes of human knowing? What might happen if we were to respond to the absurdity of human existence with humor and laughter? What insights can be learned from a philosophical investigation of humor in relationship to other human phenomena such as dreams, friendship, intimacy, aesthetic experience and self-transcendence? And, finally, how can humor and laughter enhance human existence and flourishing? The author presents groundbreaking insights into what can be gained from a study of humor and laughter about human existence in general and flourishing in particular. This work will be of interest to philosophers, especially philosophers of education, as well as to teachers and educators. Its unique blend of philosophical investigation and humorous discourse is both a rigorous and accessible analysis of humor.

Recenzje

"Humor Laughter and Human Flourishing is a welcome addition to the Springer Briefs in Education series. ... this brief volume is a compilation of essays resulting from his reflection over four years on the relationship of humor to human flourishing, as well as from his selective engagement with humor scholarship. Gordon lucidly conveys many rich philosophical insights." (Sammy Basu, International Journal of Humor Research, Vol. 30 (1), February, 2017)

Spis treści

Introduction.- 1. The Case for a Humorous Philosophy of Education.- 2. Humor, Truth and Human Existence.- 3. Camus’ Struggle with the Absurd: Rebellion as a Response to Nihilism.- 4. Freud, Dreams and Humor.- 5. Friendship, Intimacy and Humor.- 6. The Educational Value of Aesthetic Humor.- 7. Learning to Laugh at Ourselves: Humor, Self-transcendence and the cultivation of Moral Virtues​.