• Search Research Projects
  • Search Researchers
  • How to Use
  1. Back to previous page

Constructing a Theory of Laughter Founded on Deleuzian and Non-Western Approaches to Subjective Temporality and Concepts of the Self

Research Project

Project/Area Number 15K01992
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Research Field Philosophy/Ethics
Research InstitutionNagoya University

Principal Investigator

Weeks Mark  名古屋大学, 教養教育院, 特任准教授 (70514222)

Project Period (FY) 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
Budget Amount *help
¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥390,000 (Direct Cost: ¥300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥90,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥260,000 (Direct Cost: ¥200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥60,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Keywordslaughter / time / subjectivity / Deleuze / solitude / being / identity / theory / attitudes / humor
Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study confirmed that laughter performs various important cultural and psychological functions. The most significant finding was that solitary laughter is probably more common than is typically assumed by scholars in the field of humor and laughter research. Evidence was found that solitary laughter may be enjoyed for its own sake, not only as a form of vicarious social behavior. The researcher offered possible reasons for the tendency to overlook solitary laughter, including its momentary but potentially radical effects upon the individual sense of self. Drawing on references to solitary laughter by ancient and modern philosophers, including Augustine and Deleuze, it is suggested that solitary laughter may be regarded with suspicion because it operates outside of social sanction and control. The study also showed evidence of differences between cultures in terms of attitudes to laughing alone, with Japanese being most conspicuous in expressing inhibition towards such behavior.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2017 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2016 Research-status Report
  • 2015 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (6 results)

All 2017 2016 2015

All Journal Article (1 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results,  Peer Reviewed: 1 results,  Open Access: 1 results,  Acknowledgement Compliant: 1 results) Presentation (5 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 4 results)

  • [Journal Article] The Enigma of Solitary Laughter2016

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Journal Title

      European Journal of Humour Research

      Volume: 4:3 Pages: 76-87

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research / Acknowledgement Compliant
  • [Presentation] Can Laughter Break through Walls of Belligerent Untruth?2017

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Organizer
      Walls in Anglo-American Literature and Culture Symposium
    • Place of Presentation
      Nagoya University, Japan
    • Year and Date
      2017-03-11
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] The Queerest Comic Corruption: Laughing Alone2017

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Organizer
      10th Deleuze Studies Conference
    • Related Report
      2017 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Solitary Laughter: Breaking the Silence2016

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Organizer
      International Society for Humor Studies
    • Place of Presentation
      Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
    • Year and Date
      2016-06-27
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Solitary Laughter: Breaking the Silence2016

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Organizer
      International Society for Humor Studies 27th Annual Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Dublin, Ireland
    • Year and Date
      2016-06-27
    • Related Report
      2015 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Steps Supporting Greater Cultural Diversity in Theoretical Discourses on Laughter2015

    • Author(s)
      Mark Weeks
    • Organizer
      International Society for Humor Studies 27th Annual Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Oakland, California, USA
    • Year and Date
      2015-06-29
    • Related Report
      2015 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research

URL: 

Published: 2015-04-16   Modified: 2019-03-29  

Information User Guide FAQ News Terms of Use Attribution of KAKENHI

Powered by NII kakenhi