A philosopher’s case for the importance of good—if ethically questionable—humor.

A good sense of humor is key to the good life, but a joke taken too far can get anyone into trouble. Where to draw the line is not as simple as it may seem. After all, even the most innocent quips between friends rely on deception, sarcasm, and stereotypes and often run the risk of disrespect, meanness, and harm. How do we face this dilemma without taking ourselves too seriously?

In Wisecracks, philosopher David Shoemaker examines this interplay between humor and morality and ultimately argues that even morally suspect humor is an essential part of ethical life. Shoemaker shows how improvised “wisecracks” between family and friends—unlike scripted stand-up, sketches, or serials—help us develop a critical human skill: the ability to carry on and find the funny in tragedy. In developing a new ethics of humor in defense of questionable gibes, Wisecracks offers a powerful case for humor as a healing presence in human life.

David Shoemaker is professor of philosophy at Cornell University. He is the author of two books including Responsibility from the Margins.

Introduction

Part One: Humor, Morality, and the Relations between Them
Chapter One. “You Had to Be There!”: The Nature of Humor
Chapter Two. “That’s Just Not Funny!”: How Morality Does (and Doesn’t) Bear on Humor

Part Two: Morally Troublesome Wisecracks: A Guided Tour
Chapter Three. “Back When I Was in ’Nam . . .”: Deceptive Wisecracks
Chapter Four. “Lay Off!”: Mockery, Misfortune, and Meanness
Chapter Five. “Somebody Ought to Throw Those Boys a Basketball!”: Stereotyping Humor

Part Three: Finding Funny
Chapter Six. “I Feel Your Hilarious Pain”: Flawed Senses of Humor, Flawed Senses of Morality
Chapter Seven. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Death”: How and Why to Find the Funny in Pain and Tragedy

Conclusion

Acknowledgments
Notes
References
Index