HUMOR: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS WITHIN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

Abstract

The present analysis was undertaken to delve into history and understand the cultural and religious influence in the conceptualization and behavioral manifestation of humor. The inquiry swept the timeline beginning with Plato, discussing his overarching view that humor is a disdainful expression of emotions and refrained ‘respectful’ men and women from using it. This view profoundly impacted the later religions and code of conduct in social interaction prevailing for the next 2000 years.Until, as claimed by the literature, Lord Shaftesbury, a British reformer presented a radical view in favor of humor and its relevance in interpersonal relationships and emotional coping and changed worldview. In contrast, we argue that during this stretch of 2000 years, Muslims’ endorsement of humor and its place in everyday life helped to shed the expected melancholic façade and accept humor, laughter, and desire to joke as part of being human. The article also reviews contemporary research and views to provide empirical support for the psychological and social benefits of humor.