Isn’t that Clever: A Philosophical Account of Humor and Comedy (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy)

"Isn't That Clever provides a new account of the nature of humor - the cleverness account - according to which humor is intentional conspicuous acts of playful cleverness. By defining humor in this way, answers can be found to longstanding questions about humor ethics (Are there jokes that are wrong to tell? Are there jokes that can only be told by certain people?) and humor aesthetics (What makes for a good joke? Is humor subjective?). In addition to humor in general, Isn't That Clever asks questions about comedy as an art form such as whether there are limits to what can be said in dealing with a heckler and how do we determine whether one comedian has stolen jokes from another."--Provided by publisher This book explores the nature of humor through the cleverness account - according to which humor is intentional conspicuous acts of playful cleverness. By defining humor in this way, answers can be found to longstanding questions about humor ethics (Are there jokes that are wrong to tell? Are there jokes that can only be told by certain people?) and humor aesthetics (What makes for a good joke? Is humor subjective?). In addition the book asks questions about comedy as an art form such as whether there limits to what can be said in dealing with a heckler and how do we determine whether one comedian has stolen jokes from another Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Figures Acknowledgments Introduction: A Fool’s Errand 1 The Obligatory Chapter 2 My, How Clever: What Is Humor and What Humor Is 3 Joking Matters 4 Comedy Tonight 5 Killing It: Humor and Comedy Aesthetics 6 Can’t You Take a Joke? Humor Ethics 7 Am I Blue? The Ethics of Dirty (and Other Morally Questionable) Jokes 8 Is That a Mic in Your Hand or Are You Just Happy to See Me? Comedy Ethics References Index The Obligatory Chapter -- My, How Clever: What Is Humor And What Humor Is -- Joking Matters -- Comedy Tonight -- Killing It: Humor And Comedy Aesthetics -- Can't You Take A Joke?: Humor Ethics -- Am I Blue?: The Ethics Of Dirty (and Other Morally Questionable) Jokes -- Is That A Mic In Your Hand Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?: Comedy Ethics. Steven Gimbel. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 186-192) And Index. Isn't That Clever provides a new account of the nature of humor - the cleverness account - according to which humor is intentional conspicuous acts of playful cleverness. This volume asks whether there are limits to what can be said in dealing with a heckler and how do we determine whether one comedian has stolen jokes from another. __Isn't That Clever____Isn't That Clever__