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Laboratorium Mentis baner

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024)

Articles

Does the God of classical theism have a sense of humour? [English translation]

  • Piotr Biłgorajski
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52097/lm.9483  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2025-02-13

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss whether the attribute of a sense of humour is compatible with the theistic conception of God, understood as an omnipotent, perfect and omniscient being. I begin by outlining the intuitions present in common language and in fiction regarding the attribution of humour to God. I then discuss popular theories of humour – superiority, release and incongruity – pointing out their incompatibility with a theistic concept of God. I conclude by wondering why people have a sense of humour, while the answer to this question marks the paper's main thesis: although God knows what is funny, he does not have a sense of humour.

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