Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Laboratorium Mentis baner

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024)

Articles

Does the God of classical theism have a sense of humour? [Polish original]

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52097/lm.9280  [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 fiction regarding the attribution of humour to God. I then discuss popular theories of humour - superiority, release of tension and incongruity - pointing out their incompatibility with a theistic concept of God. I conclude with the thesis that while God has knowledge of what is funny, he has no sense of humour.

References

  1. Carroll, N. (2014). Humour: A Very Short Introduction Get. Oxford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780199552221.001.0001 [Google Scholar]
  2. Clark, M. (1987). Humor and Incongruity. In J. Morreall (Ed.), The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor (pp. 139–155). State University of New York Press. [Google Scholar]
  3. Hurley, M. M., Dennet, D., Adams, R. (2011). Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse‑engineer the Mind. The MIT Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/9027.001.0001 [Google Scholar]
  4. Peels, R. (2015). Does God Have a Sense of Humor? Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers, 32(3), Article 2. https://doi.10.5840/faithphil20157742 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5840/faithphil20157742 [Google Scholar]
  5. Scruton, R. (1986). Laughter. In J. Morreall (Ed.), The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor (pp. 156–171). State University of New York Press. [Google Scholar]
  6. Watson, W. (2012). The Lost Second Book of Aristotle’s Poetics. University of Chicago Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226875101.001.0001 [Google Scholar]
  7. Žižek, S. (1992). Looking Awry. An Introduction to Jacques Lacan through Popular Culture. The MIT Press. [Google Scholar]

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.