THE RIDDLE OF LAUGHTER

On Humour. Simon Critchley.

Humour appears to be inextricably bound with what is human. Laughter can therefore be used as a means to distinguish the human from animal. Its origins are loosely traced back to the animal function of aggression, the bearing of teeth. The only animal link to an exhibition of laughter is a reaction to something forced like tickling, as seen in chimps, the result is a panting sound, the distant relative to human laugher. Laughter has since sailed great lengths to distance human culture from animal life. However humour and its uniqueness to humans exists as a paradox, as it crosses limitations between the human and the animal, and highlights this uneasy terrain. Humour helps distance, yet draws us back to animality in one sweeping motion.

If being human means being humorous, then being humorous often seems to mean becoming an animal. There is something charming about an animal becoming human, but when the human becomes animal, then the effect is disgusting. 1

Laughter’s validity in its presence and longevity in our evolutionary scale is curious. Laughter does not have a survival value and can even pose as a disadvantage to a species, resulting in interruption of breathing, loss of muscle control, legs faltering and in extreme cases involuntary urination. Laughter’s presence in human evolution may appear inconclusive but there are benefits, those of good health. Laughter can lower stress levels and blood pressure and releases pent up negative energy.

Is there a theory for laughter? There is yet no single formula that will cover all cases of laughter, which makes it near impossible to extrapolate its essence. Morreall has whittled explanations of laughter into three main categories, the superiority theory, the relief theory (release of pent up nervous energy) and the incongruity theory. Merreal also suggests laughter is a piece of behaviour and not an emotion, but that it is still strongly intertwined with emotion.

Human beings in the world of nature have cultivated a peculiar position. Humour and its distancing technique from animals also has associations with the conscious and unconscious. Humans are the only known animals who experience actual experiences, which leads to the conclusion that if you do not have consciousness then there is no apparent need for laughter. Humans are unique, there reflective capabilities enables them to push out, past the limits set by nature.

Endnotes.

1. Critchley, Simon. On Humour. London: Routledge, 2002. p.34.

References.

Morreall, John. ‘Comedy, tragedy and religion.’ New York: State University of New York Press, 1999.