A Cultural History of Laughter is the title of the most recent book published by researcher Abílio Almeida. Published by Routledge by Taylor & Francis, the publication will be officially launched in London on August 7th.
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.
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