Description

Book Synopsis

Is laughter a sin? Or is it man's best medicine? Is laughter now trivialised, mechanised or even weaponised by contemporary media? This book explores the social history of laughter in the West, from classical antiquity to the present day.

Engaging with a range of thought from Plato to Nietzsche, it moves from classical to modern thought, considering the changing emotional climate of societies including the postmodern dictatorship of happiness and the role played by the technological changes of the last century in shaping our interpretation of laughter.

A broad, historical study of the physical and emotional aspects of laughter, as well as its social role, A Cultural History of Laughter will appeal to scholars of sociology, history and cultural studies, among other fields of knowledge.

A Cultural History of Laughter

    Product form

    £49.99

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 8 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by Abílio Almeida

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of A Cultural History of Laughter by Abílio Almeida

      Publisher: Taylor & Francis
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 7/31/2024
      ISBN13: 9781032671338, 978-1032671338
      ISBN10: 1032671335
      Also in:
      History Social and cultural history

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Is laughter a sin? Or is it man's best medicine? Is laughter now trivialised, mechanised or even weaponised by contemporary media? This book explores the social history of laughter in the West, from classical antiquity to the present day.

      Engaging with a range of thought from Plato to Nietzsche, it moves from classical to modern thought, considering the changing emotional climate of societies including the postmodern dictatorship of happiness and the role played by the technological changes of the last century in shaping our interpretation of laughter.

      A broad, historical study of the physical and emotional aspects of laughter, as well as its social role, A Cultural History of Laughter will appeal to scholars of sociology, history and cultural studies, among other fields of knowledge.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account