Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic (English Version) - Odyssee

In Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic, Henri Bergson offers a philosophical investigation into the nature and function of humor. He argues that laughter is fundamentally a social phenomenon, arising not from emotion or sympathy but from a kind of intellectual detachment. The comic, according to Bergson, is rooted in the mechanical encrusted upon the living—instances where human behavior becomes stiff, repetitive, or automatic, thereby violating the natural fluidity of life. Through this lens, humor exposes the absurdity of inelastic behavior in social contexts.

Bergson suggests that laughter serves as a corrective mechanism, subtly pressuring individuals to remain flexible, alert, and socially aware. It acts as a tool for reinforcing community norms and encouraging conformity through ridicule, not cruelty. The essay spans analyses of various forms of comedy—from gestures and wordplay to character and situation—while consistently emphasizing that laughter depends on a momentary anesthesia of the heart. With sharp insight and literary elegance, Bergson’s work remains a foundational text in the study of comedy, aesthetics, and human behavior.

Penulis: Henri Bergson

Penerbit: Odise, 2025

Kategori: Essay

SKU: BRD24258

Bahasa: English

Dimensi: 14 x 20 cm l Sofcover 

Tebal: Vi + 115 hlm | Bookpaper

Harga: 65.000