The Comical: A Philosophical Analysis

Foreword. Part I: Defining the Comical. The Theory of a Negative Feature and of the Superiority of the Subject of the Comical. The Theory of Degradation. The Theory of Contrast. The Theory of Incongruity. The Theory of Deviation from a Norm. The Theories of Mixed Motifs. A Defence of the Relationist Version of the Deviation Theory. Notes to Part I. Part II: Forms of the Comical. Major Ways of Evoking the Comical. Mains Forms of the Comical. Notes to Part II. Part III: Social Significance of the Comical. Cognitive Functions of the Comical. The Role of Jest and Derision in Primitive Cultures. The Comical as a Source of Psychic Hygiene: Entertainment and Therapy. Laughter: a Social Weapon. Notes to Part III. Bibliography.