Cover of Laughter

Laughter

by Henri Bergson

First published
1900
Reading level
Fairly demanding
Price
Free

About the book

"Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic" by Henri Bergson is a collection of three essays first published in 1900. This groundbreaking philosophical work explores why humans laugh and what makes things funny. Bergson examines laughter as a distinctly human and social phenomenon, arguing that comedy arises from rigidity interrupting life's natural flexibility. He investigates how laughter serves as a moral corrective, forcing people to recognize their vices and conform to social norms. Through analyzing comic situations, movements, and characters, Bergson develops a scientific method for understanding the laws governing humor.

  • Comedy
  • Philosophy, French
  • Laughter

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #4352. Laughter on Wikipedia.

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