CLASS 130 Lecture 3: Lecture 3 Humor and Ethics
Document Summary
Falls under the freudian relief theory (so much humor coming from almost pain) Oscar wilde on his deathbed said, "this wallpaper is atrocious. Superiority theory: wilde"s wit triumphs over his fear of death, and by laughing with him, we share this feeling (his fearlessness makes him and us superior) Relief theory: making fun of death, the saying allows us not to experience negative emotions as usual. Superiority theory: humor draws attention to value, castigates vices (i. e. foregrounds desirable behaviors) Draws attn to what is superior and what is inferior. Relief theory: laughter diminishes/relieves stress (which is otherwise expected) Play theory: humor enhances learning and showcases cleverness. Incongruity theory: humor draws our attention to rules. If humor depends on incongruity, then it helps us become aware of norms (and how they are being challenged within the humor) Humor plays a role in cognition and draws attention to glitches in our habits of thought.
