The Physicality of Laughter

Descartes, Spenser, and Freud offer a very technical view of humor, where the bodily reaction of laughter is indicative of the reason for our amusement. Common to each author, there was a fascination with the physical act of laughing, where laughter exists as a function and signal for objective humor. Descartes writes, "But although it seems as though laughter were one of the principal signs of joy, nevertheless joy cannot cause it except when it is moderate and has some wonder or hate mingled with it." (Descartes 22) I singled this quote out because I believe it can be connected to our previous authors; laughter, as Sedaris demonstrates, is not always funny. As Plato and Hobbes indicate, humor can be potentially immoral regarding the subject of the joke. Descartes, Spenser, and Freud advance this point to suggest that a laughing reaction might mean something other than immorality, such as wonder, injustice, or hatred. I think Sedaris would agree with the point in light of his use of humor to reflect on his past. In many ways, laughter is cathartic. Have you ever been so shocked by something that you just laugh? Have you ever been so sad that your tears turn into laughter at the reality of your own life? I certainly have, and I am sure that many share in these sentiments where life is so absurd that laughter is the only feasible reaction. I think, in a way, this is what the authors for today's class were illustrating. We cannot change a bodily reaction that comes from our emotions, and if it is laughter, than we understand that there is something ironic or mildly humorous underlying that feeling. I appreciate that this reaction was not seen as immoral, but could be used as a tool for self reflection to seek the truth behind an emotional response.