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

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K01992
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Philosophy/Ethics
• Research Institution: Nagoya 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
• Keywords: laughter / time / subjectivity / Deleuze / solitude / being

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.

Free Research Field

哲学