Laughter in the Dark: The Consolation of Comedy

Please join the Center for Ethics and Values for the next public forum of the semester:

Laughter in the Dark: The Consolation of Comedy

with Kieran Setiya, Peter de Florez Professor of Philosophy, MIT

Can humour help us cope with hardship without distancing or denial? Does laughter at misfortune manifest what Bergson called “a momentary anesthesia of the heart”—or worse? This talk takes up a puzzle about confessional comedy: why isn’t it vicious to draw pleasure from another’s suffering, as we do when comics joke about trauma? The answer turns on the fine structure of empathy; and the upshot is a theory of confessional stand-up as bespoke theodicy: a temporary, interpersonal solution to the emotional problem of evil. This solution is one we can administer to ourselves, using humour to confront adversity. Content note: violence and sexual assault.

Following the discussion, we will invite the audience to join the conversation!

Preregistration is encouraged but not required.  This event will also be live streamed on UMBC's YouTube Channel!

Questions? Please email ethics@umbc.edu

This public forum is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.