Comedy, Seriously

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. History of Comedy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: On the Ancient Origins of Comedy

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 3-21

   3. The Moderns: The Romantic Loss of Comedy

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 23-44

3. Logic of Comedy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 45-45

      PDF

   2. Everyone Joins the Fight: The Dialectic of Comic Action

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 47-68

   3. Whatever Works: Structure and Topics of Comedy

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 69-92

   4. The Catastrophe of the Good Ending

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 93-110

4. Ethics of Comedy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 111-111

      PDF

   2. Foolish Wisdom: The Philosopher as a Comic Figure

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 113-131

   3. Conclusion

      • Dmitri Nikulin

      Pages 133-135

5. Back Matter

   Pages 137-192

   PDF

Comedy, Seriously provides a philosophical interpretation of comedy and argues that comedy displays a particular kind of rationality that reflects philosophical thinking. In particular, that comedy is defined not so much by laughter or jokes, but rather the structure of its plot, which is isomorphic with that of the philosophical argument. Comedy allows for the resolution of a conflict and the achievement of well-being and equality through action that follows the comic plot. Moreover, such action is propelled by the 'thinker on stage,' who, as socially and politically oppressed, contributes to the liberation of all and the achievement of the good life. Comedy, therefore, establishes the universal pattern for justice and well-being and allows us to rethink the notion of subjectivity not as the modern isolated subject, but rather as integrated with others through shared action and dialogical involvement.

• comedy
• dialectic
• ethics
• history
• history of literature
• humour
• logic
• philosophy
• Romanticism
• structure

Dmitri Nikulin is Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, New School for Social Research, USA.

Policies and ethics