Humor There Are Four Major

¶ … Humor

There are four major schools of humor theory with varying aspects that are necessary to forms of humor. Theorists, including Plato, have long been arguing the validity of each theory and its relationship to humor. The Incongruity theory offers a functional explanation to what humans find funny while Relief and Play theories focus mainly on the function of humor as it relates to human life. Superiority theory explains the feelings necessary for humor to exist and the reasons behind what we find funny.

SUMMARY of THEORIES

The Superiority Theory states that all humor involves a feeling of superiority. Plato in Philebus argues that ignorance is something we would rather live without but when found in someone else as a character defect can be considered very funny (Plato).

Hobbes theory of superiority states that we find humor in seeing how we are superior to others or find humor in something we have overcome that the comic hasn't yet.

Robert Solomon offers another take on the Superiority Theory: The Three Stooges is characteristic of a source of humor based on inferiority of modesty rather than superiority (Solomon)

Rather than comparing our current with our former inferior selves, Solomon sees the ability to not take yourself seriously, or to see yourself as not perfect, as a source of modesty and compassion (Solomon).

Frances Hutchison points out that we can feel superior to many things without thinking that they are humorous. Take animals for example: when dogs and monkeys are crafty or ingenious, it sometimes makes us happy. When they are not and act as a subspecies, it does not (Hutchison).

It's easy to confirm that what we currently find funny is often times fueled by feelings of superiority. Modern day television shows have found great comedic success by using the theory of superiority include the Three Stooges and the animated hit show Family Guy (Solomon).

The Relief Theory is different from the Superiority Theory in that it attempts to explain humor in regards to releasing tension, excitement or stress. It doesn't define humor, but rather explains the process that produces laughter. It claims that laughter is a result of the release of excessive energy.

As explained by Herbert Spencer, stress, excitement or general agitation produces energy that humans must release somehow. He argues that excitement is shown and expelled through laughter. Nervous laughter is one example of energy being expelled in this manner. The build up of excitement or nervous energy is released through laughter thus providing relief (Spencer).

Stand up comedians often use the build up of stories to gather interest and excitement. The audience waits for the conclusion or punch line. The comic then delivers the punch line and the audience releases its built up pressure through laughter.

Unlike the Relief Theory of humor, the incongruity theory is the main theory of humor and accounts for most cases of humor.

Aristotle presents the earliest glimmer of an Incongruity Theory of humor by stating that the best way to get an audience to react is by setting them up and delivering something that adds a twist to the ending. Modern day television programs like Seinfeld provide the viewer with either a play on words or a situational outcome that is completely different from what they expected. The use of incongruity often culminates in situations that are unexpected and therefore humorous to the audience.

Surprise also plays a role in the Incongruity Theory. The more absurd the outcome and the more unexpected, the greater the chance the audience will have in finding the situation humorous. Changing the audience's perception of a situation creates humor and the incongruous relationship between human intelligence and mechanical behavior serving as a social corrective helping people recognize behaviors that are inhospitable to human flourishing (Kant, Critique of Judgment I, I, 54).

Completely separate from the above theories is the Theory of Play. Play theories try to classify humor as a theory of play stating that similarities between what is true of play might be true of humor as well.

By looking at laugh triggers, Play Theorists suggest that humor in the behavior of animals such as tickling amongst chimps and even tail wagging amongst dogs is similar to laughing amongst humans. These behaviors are all products of evolutionary development. Meaning that we are born with the instinct to laugh when played with or tickled ((Eastman, the Enjoyment of Laughter, 45).

Eastman states that certain kinds of humor involve mock aggression and insults. A competitive game of tag amongst children often results in laughter suggesting that play activities result in humorous amusement.

PART 2: Joke #1-the Wise Hunter

This joke mainly utilizes the Incongruity Theory of humor. Thomas Veatch states that in order for something to be perceived as humorous, there are three elements that need to be present.

First, there is a prevailing fact that the situation is normal and okay. The hunter's friend has collapsed and the hunter is calling for help. A perfectly normal response to an emergency situation.

The second being that there is a perception that something is wrong and that there is a violation of what should be. The hunter's friend is unconscious and the hunter decides that in order to confirm his death, he will shoot him and solidify it.