# Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic

**Author:** Henri Bergson
**Tags:** Comedy, Laughter, Philosophy, French
**Price:** Free
**Formats:** DOCX, EPUB, FB2, PDF, TXT
**Downloads:** 32
**Added:** 10.07.2026
**URL:** https://samolit.com/books/96456

## Description

In this influential philosophical essay, Henri Bergson delves into the complex nature of laughter and its profound social significance. Rejecting simple definitions, Bergson explores laughter as a distinctly human phenomenon, emerging from a detached intellectual observation rather than emotion. He famously posits that laughter arises from "the mechanical encrusted upon the living," occurring when individuals exhibit rigidity, absent-mindedness, or an inflexible, machine-like quality in their behavior, contrasting with life's natural fluidity and adaptability. This seminal work argues that laughter serves a vital social function, acting as a corrective mechanism that subtly encourages conformity and adaptability, thereby fostering social cohesion. Bergson's insights invite readers to consider humor not merely as amusement, but as a critical tool for understanding human nature and the dynamics of society.