Smiling
Journal
The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Humor
Publisher
Springer Nature Switzerland
Date Issued
2026
Type
text::book::book part
Abstract
This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between smiles, laughter, and human reactions to humor, examining the historical and modern perspectives on these expressions. Traditionally, smiling and laughing were seen as distinct in their moral implications, with smiling often celebrated as classy and tasteful, while laughter was deemed excessive and unpleasant. Recent advancements in neuroscience and psychology, however, challenge this conventional wisdom by revealing different organic underpinnings for these actions and unveiling various types of smiles and laughter. Drawing upon what I call the classical theory of laughter (CTL) and the modern theory of laughter (MTL), I will first explore how our understanding of these phenomena has been reshaped. Then I will argue that despite these transformations, the classical account regarding humoristic laughter remains relevant, and I will highlight the enduring moral implications of these expressions in light of contemporary scientific discoveries. ©The author ©Springer.
License
Acceso Restringido
How to cite
Lecón, M. (2026). Smiling. In: Amir, L. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Humor. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86247-2_22