This course offers an overview of humour in Western and Chinese philosophies. It looks at humour in philosophical works, as well as at philosophers’ expressed attitudes to humour, and covers major contemporary philosophical theories and explanations of humour. Philosophy offers a great set of tools to help us understand humour, while, at the same time, humour is one of the most engaging ways to think on major philosophical questions.

CILO-1: Define philosophical theories of humour and describe its role in human life and interactions. CILO-2: Explain various uses of and attitudes toward humour in Western and Chinese philosophical traditions. CILO-3: Identify major philosophers and texts in Western and Chinese traditions that implement or discuss humour. CILO-4: Interpret philosophical ideas from Western and Chinese traditions from the perspective of humour. CILO-5: Compare diverse understandings and expressions of humour in different cultures.