Redeeming Laughter: The Comic Dimension of Human Experience
by Peter L. Berger
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Amid the variety of human experiences, the comic occupies a distinctive place. It is simultaneously ubiquitous, relative, and fragile. In this book, Peter L. Berger reflects on the nature of the comic and its relationship to other human experiences. Berger contends that the comic is an integral aspect of human life, yet one that must be approached and analyzed circumspectly and circuitously. Beginning with an exploration of the anatomy of the comic, Berger addresses humor in philosophy, show more physiology, psychology, and the social sciences before turning to a discussion of different types of comedy and finally suggesting a theology of the comic in terms of its relationship to folly, redemption, and transcendence. Along the way, the reader is treated to a variety of jokes on a variety of topics, with particular emphasis on humor and its relationship to religion. Originally published in 1997, the second edition includes a new preface reflecting on Berger's work in the intervening years, particularly on the relationship between humor and modernity. show lessTags
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ThingScore 75
Komik ist in erster Linie ein Spiel von Intellekt und Sprache. Berger betont es immer wieder und beweist gleichzeitig mit seiner kurzweiligen Studie, dass er sich auf dieses Spiel meisterhaft versteht. Mit einer variationsreichen Skala, die vom milden Witz bis zur beißenden Satire reicht, würzt er häufig seine Ausführungen, wohl wissend, dass ein paar Witze erheiternd sein können, eine show more Flut von Witzen dagegen, die ständig weiter erzählt werden, aufhören, "angenehm zu wirken." show less
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Author Information
71+ Works 6,193 Members
Peter Ludwig Berger was born in Vienna, Austria on March 17, 1929. He immigrated to the United States when he was 17 years old. He received a bachelor's degree from Wagner College in 1949 and did his doctoral work at the New School in Manhattan. He was a theologian who was known for his work in the sociology of knowledge, understanding how humans show more experience everyday reality. He taught at several universities including Boston University, the New School for Social Research, Brooklyn College, Rutgers University, and Boston College. He wrote many books during his lifetime including The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge, A Rumor of Angels: Modern Society and the Rediscovery of the Supernatural, The Noise of Solemn Assemblies: Christian Commitment, The Religious Establishment in America, The Heretical Imperative: Contemporary Possibilities of Religious Affirmation, and A Far Glory: The Quest for Faith in an Age of Credulity. He died from heart failure on June 27, 2017 at the age of 88. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Obertures (1)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Redeeming Laughter: The Comic Dimension of Human Experience
- Original title
- Redeeming Laughter : The Comic Dimension of Human Experience
- Original publication date
- 1997
- Blurbers
- Bellow, Saul; Stackhouse, Max L.; Novak, Michael; Guinness, Os
Classifications
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- Members
- 85
- Popularity
- 374,408
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- 5 — Catalan, English, German, Italian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 16
- ASINs
- 2
