A1 Journal article (refereed)
Understanding Humor : Four Conceptual Approaches to the Elusive Subject (2023)

Hietalahti, J., & Pennanen, J. (2023). Understanding Humor : Four Conceptual Approaches to the Elusive Subject. The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook, 4(1), 53-80. https://doi.org/10.1515/phhumyb-2023-0003

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hietalahti, Jarno; Pennanen, Joonas

Journal or series: The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook

ISSN: 2698-7171

eISSN: 2698-718X

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 18/09/2023

Volume: 4

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 53-80

Publisher: De Gruyter

Place of Publication: Berlin

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/phhumyb-2023-0003

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/91790

Abstract

This article discusses four ways of understanding the concept of humor: 1) in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions, as 2) a cluster concept, 3) an interpretive concept, and 4) a dual character concept. We peruse both historical and contemporary research on humor, but instead of asking “What is humor?,” we draw conclusions regarding what humor research tells us of the ways to conceptualize humor. The main merits and shortcomings of different approaches are explicated. We suggest that the increased awareness of conceptual options will help the field of humor research to construct ever better theories on the elusive subject matter.

Keywords: humour; concepts (notions); concept analysis; interpretation (cognition); philosophy

Free keywords: philosophy of humor; necessary and sufficient conditions; cluster concept; interpretive concept; dual character concept

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1