The Necrophilic Laughter : Humor as a Social Pathology
Hietalahti, J. (2018). The Necrophilic Laughter : Humor as a Social Pathology. Fromm Forum, 22, 38-49. https://www.fromm-gesellschaft.eu/images/pdf-Dateien/Hietalahti_J_2018.pdf
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Fromm ForumAuthors
Date
2018Copyright
© 2018 Hietalahti,
In this article, I claim that humor can be a form of social pathology. In opposition to the general humor-affirmative atmosphere, I develop the critical tradition of humor research, and suggest that there is a darker side to fun and laughter. Using insights
from Henri Bergson’s theory about laughter and Erich Fromm’s critical social thinking, I
formulate a novel theoretical combination which opens up fruitful perspectives on contemporary humor and its social nature. This empirically motivated conceptual position
helps us to understand the role and function of humor and laughter. My conclusion is
that parts of the contemporary humor catalogue reflect collective destructive and even
death-orientated tendencies. The main argument is that if humor is not in line with humanistic values and is not based on a life-orientated worldview, it is in danger of becoming pathological.
Publisher
Internationale Erich-Fromm-GesellschaftISSN Search the Publication Forum
1437-1189
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https://www.fromm-gesellschaft.eu/images/pdf-Dateien/Hietalahti_J_2018.pdfPublication in research information system
https://converis.jyu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/28868302
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