New York, NY 10023
USA
At the NY Society for Ethical Culture
Sunday Meeting – Anne Klaeysen – April Fool’s Day: What’s Ethical About Humor?”
Sunday, April 1, 2018 – 11:00 am
2 West 64th Street
Ceremonial Hall – 4th floor
The Greek philosopher Plato wrote that “the ridiculous is a certain kind of evil, specifically a vice” and believed that, in the ideal state, comedy should be tightly controlled. Some humor can be malicious and reflect a kind of superiority. But it can also be playful and offer much needed relief. On April Fool’s Day, we’ll explore the role humor plays in our lives.
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In my family, we have a saying: “If you have to tell us something’s funny, then it’s not.” In other words, it should be obvious. We value humor highly and love to call out “Good one!” even if the joke is at our own expense. When interviewing wedding couples, I listen for their laughter. If they don’t share a sense of humor, I worry about the success of their relationship. Not everyone values humor – or certain kinds of humor.
The Greek philosopher Plato wrote that “the ridiculous is a certain kind of evil, specifically a vice” and believed that, in the ideal state, comedy should be tightly controlled. Some humor can be malicious and reflect a kind of superiority. But it can also be playful and offer much needed relief. On April Fool’s Day, we’ll explore the role humor plays in our lives.
Shared Charity: My Own Books
Presider: Maggie Determann
