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Jokes: Philosophical Thoughts on Joking Matters
by
Ted Cohen
Abe and his friend Sol are out for a walk together in a part of town they haven't been in before. Passing a Christian church, they notice a curious sign in front that says "$1,000 to anyone who will convert." "I wonder what that's about," says Abe. "I think I'll go in and have a look. I'll be back in a minute; just wait for me."Sol sits on the...more
Paperback, 112 pages
Published
May 1st 2001
by University of Chicago Press
(first published 1999)
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A very decent and totally unpretentious book that looks deeply at jokes from a number of perspectives--though not too many that it becomes burdensome or difficult to piece together what Cohen is attempting.
Exploring a few of the social dynamics of jokes, and using the case of Jewish/sectarian humor as his primary example, Cohen attempts to explain the power that joking can have to foster bonds between people, or to highlight ontological, moral, or other "cultural" differen...more
Exploring a few of the social dynamics of jokes, and using the case of Jewish/sectarian humor as his primary example, Cohen attempts to explain the power that joking can have to foster bonds between people, or to highlight ontological, moral, or other "cultural" differen...more
Though Cohen avoids the risks associated with trying to present a single unified theory of jokes he returns repeatedly to the role that jokes play in helping us identifying others as within our community.
(Thankfully the book contains some joke explanations in the back)
(Thankfully the book contains some joke explanations in the back)
A surprisingly intertaining and interesing book. In particular, I liked his discussion of Abraham and the burning bush. Isaac's name mean "laughter" — Isaac was the son who was on the verge of incineration.
Who would guess that a professional philosopher would write something about jokes? And further, who would guess that it would be such fun? Not only are the musings on the nature of jokes interesting, but the jokes themselves are choice. I now have a few new favorites for my collection.
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