Laughter

By Henri Bergson

"Laughter" is a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of the comic and the mechanics of human humor. Written by the influential philosopher Henri Bergson, this work seeks to answer the fundamental question: why do we laugh? Bergson explores the idea that laughter serves as a social gesture intended to correct "mechanical inelasticity" in human behavior. He argues that we find things funny when we perceive "something mechanical encrusted on the living"-when a person acts with the rigidity of a machine rather than the fluidity and adaptability of a living being.

The book examines the comic across various manifestations, including forms, movements, situations, words, and character. From the simple physical pratfall to the sophisticated wit of classical theater, Bergson provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how comedy functions within society. By analyzing the relationship between the individual and the collective, "Laughter" offers timeless insights into psychology, aesthetics, and the human condition. This work remains a cornerstone of modern philosophical thought, essential for students of literature, theater, and the social sciences who wish to understand the vital spark of the comic spirit and its role in human interaction.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102577874X
• ISBN13: 9781025778747
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"