Philosophy of Humor

Scope

cr 3

Teachers

Visiting professor Tim DeMey

Time, location and registration

Time 30.03.2009 - 03.04.2009
Registration time in webOodi 01.03.2009 - 03.04.2009

Periodically March 30 - April 4. Mon-Fri each day 12-16, visiting professor Tim DeMey (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam).

Schedule:

  • Mon 30.3. 12-16 S20A lr 334D
  • Tue 31.3. 12-16 S10 sr 210
  • Wed 1.4. 12-16 S20A lr 334D
  • Thu 2.4. 12-16 S20A sr 303
  • Fri 3.4. 12-16 S20A lr 334

Content

  • Monday 30th of March, 12-16 S20A lr 334D

12-14, LECTURE 1 - Types and typologies of humor

In this introductory lecture, we discuss different examples of humor and we try to develop a preliminary typology.

14-16: LECTURE 2 - Ten problems of humor

What are the theoretical desiderata of a philosophy of humor? What issues should be addressed? Are there any a priori methodological constraints? In this lecture, ten problems concerning humor are defined and some quick and easy answers are found wanting.

HOMEWORK: reading assignment

  • Tuesday 31th of March, 12-16 S10 sr 210

12-14: LECTURE 3 - Traditional theories I: Superiority theory

In this lecture the superiority theory of humor is introduced, its classic texts are analyzed and discussed, and an assessment is made of its theoretical vices and virtues.

14-16: LECTURE 4 - The vicissitudes of jokes

In this lecture we consider the social and biological aspects of laughter and humor.

HOMEWORK: reading assignment

  • Wednesday 1th of April, 12-16 S20A lr 334D

12-14: LECTURE 5 - Traditional theories II: Incongruity theory

In this lecture the incongruity theory of humor is introduced, its classic texts are analyzed and discussed, and an assessment is made of its theoretical vices and virtues.

14-16: LECTURE 6 – Caught by surprise

In this lecture we consider the linguistic, cognitive and computational aspects of laughter and humor.

HOMEWORK: reading assignment

  • Thursday 2nd of April, 12-16 S20A sr 303

12-14: LECTURE 7 - Traditional theories III: Relief theory

In this lecture the relief theory of humor is introduced, its classic texts are analyzed and discussed, and an assessment is made of its theoretical vices and virtues.

14-16: LECTURE 8 – Dirty jokes: some really deep thoughts

In this lecture we consider the respective roles of taboos and absurdity in laughter and humor.

HOMEWORK: reading assignment

  • Friday 3th of April, 12-16 S20A lr 334

12-14: LECTURE 9 - Solving some problems …

In this lecture we discuss which of the ten problems of humor (lecture 2) can be solved on the basis of the insights (lectures 3, 5 & 7) and information (lectures 4, 6 & 8) we obtained during the lectures.

14-16: LECTURE 10 - … and dissolving the others

In this lecture we consider the philosophical and metaphilosophical ramifications of our failure to satisfy the theoretical desideratum of an intuitively acceptable definition of humor in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions.

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