• Subversive Humor as Art and the Art of Subversive Humor

    Author(s):
    Chris A. Kramer (see profile)
    Date:
    2020
    Group(s):
    Philosophy, Political Philosophy & Theory, Public Philosophy Journal
    Subject(s):
    Ethics, Wit and humor, Education, Philosophy, Political science--Philosophy, Racism
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Humor, Oppression, Humor studies, Political philosophy
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/1ng3-p514
    Abstract:
    This paper investigates the relationships between forms of humor that conjure up possible worlds and real-world social critiques. The first part of the paper will argue that subversive humor, which is from or on behalf of historically and continually marginalized communities, constitutes a kind of aesthetic experience that can elicit enjoyment even in adversarial audiences. The second part will be a connecting piece, arguing that subversive humor can be constructed as brief narrative thought experiments that employ the use of fictionalized scenarios to facilitate an open, playful attitude, encouraging a space for collaborative interpretation. This interaction between humorist and audience is an aesthetic experience that is enjoyable in and of itself, as the feelings of mirth are intrinsically valuable. But connected to the “Ha-ha!” experience of these sorts of humorous creations is an “Aha!” or potentially revelatory experience that is a mixture of cognitive comprehension and motivated (emotional) response. The third part of the paper will attempt to go beyond the consciousness-raising element with an account of how such possible worlds created in the realm of imagination through subversive humor can bleed into the real world of flesh and blood people. Finally, I will analyze an example of subversive humor.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Publisher:
    De Gruyter
    Pub. Date:
    2020
    Journal:
    The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook
    Volume:
    1
    Issue:
    1
    Page Range:
    153 - 179
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    2 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved

    Downloads

    Item Name: pdf subversive-humor-as-art-and-the-art-of-subversive-humor.pdf
      Download View in browser
    Activity: Downloads: 275

    Back to Deposits