An Essay on Laughter: Its Forms, Its Causes, Its Development, and Its Value

James Sully

ISBN 10: 1331619440 / ISBN 13: 9781331619444

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. Explore the nature and meaning of laughter in all its many manifestations, from the subtle smile to the raucous guffaw. This book examines the complex social, psychological, and physiological factors that contribute to mirth, tracing its development from infancy to adulthood and across cultures. The author argues that laughter is not merely a trivial indulgence but a vital and multifaceted human response that serves a range of important functions, from promoting social bonding to providing relief from stress. By delving into the history, science, and philosophy of laughter, this book offers a fresh perspective on one of life's most universal and enigmatic experiences. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781331619444_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Essay on Laughter: Its Forms, Its Causes, Its Development, and Its Value
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331619440
• ISBN 13: 9781331619444
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Psychology

About this title

Synopsis

Explore the science and story of laughter — its forms, its causes, its growth, and its value to life. This classic work surveys how humor arises, why it matters, and how it shapes culture, thought, and society across time.

Laying out a broad map from childhood mirth to the laughter of different peoples, it blends observation, theory, and literary insight. The book examines how laughter develops, what it reveals about feeling and judgment, and how humor can educate, unite, or challenge our ideals.

• How laughter starts in early life and evolves into complex humor.


• Cross‑cultural perspectives on what people find funny and why.


• Connections between laughter, social norms, and moral judgment.


• Analyses of literary and artistic humor and its social functions.

Ideal for readers curious about psychology, philosophy, literature, and the social power of humor, this edition invites reflection on what laughter does for individuals and communities.