Winter Quarter, 2023
Thursdays, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.*
D. Philosophy of Humor
Sanford C. Goldberg, Chester D. Tripp Professor in the Humanities, Professor of Philosophy
*NOTE:
Due to a scheduling conflict, this course will start earlier at 12:15 p.m. and end at 1:45 p.m. Please make a note in your calendar.
In this course we will explore humor from a philosophical point of view. Our questions will be these: What is humor? What makes a joke or scene funny? What (if anything) does this tell us about the nature of the human mind or of the human condition? Is it ever wrong to laugh at a joke? Why does it often (typically? always?) seem improper to respond to another’s criticism of something we said by saying “It was only a joke!”? How should we think about humor that denigrates a person or group of people? How important in life is having a good sense of humor, and why?
NOTE: Alumnae Continuing Education Parking and Busing for Winter 2023 has been cancelled due to a low level of interest in the busing option.
Busing will NOT be offered Winter 2023 quarter. We apologize for the inconvenience.