{"title":"John Morreall","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the philosophical humour of John Morreall. Explore thought-provoking works that blend wit and wisdom. Perfect for readers seeking intellectual stimulation with a light-hearted touch. Browse our collection and expand your mind.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"philosophy-of-laughter-and-humor-book-john-morreall-9780887063275","title":"The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor","description":"This book assesses the adequacy of the traditional theories of laughter and humor, suggests revised theories, and explores such areas as the aesthetics and ethics of humor, and the relation of amusement to other mental states.  Theories of laughter and humor originated in ancient times with the view that laughter is an expression of feelings of superiority over another person. This superiority theory was held by Plato, Aristotle, and Hobbes. Another aspect of laughter, noted by Aristotle and Cicero and neglected until Kant and Schopenhauer developed it into the incongruity theory, is that laughter is often a reaction to the perception of some incongruity. According to the third and latest traditional theory, the relief theory of Herbert Spencer and Freud, laughter is the venting of superfluous nervous energy. Historical examples of all these theories are presented along with hybrid theories such as those of Descartes and Bergson. The book also features traditional explorations of the place of humor in aesthetics, drama, and literature.  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Can There Be a Theory of Laughter?\u003cbr\u003e 2. The Superiority Theory\u003cbr\u003e 3. The Incongruity Theory\u003cbr\u003e 4. The Relief Theory\u003cbr\u003e 5. A New Theory\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart Two: Humor \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e6. The Variety of Humor\u003cbr\u003e 7. Humor as Aesthetic Experience\u003cbr\u003e 8. Humor and Freedom\u003cbr\u003e 9. The Social Value of Humor\u003cbr\u003e 10. 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It wasn't until well into the 20th century that humor gained even a semblance of respect. 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This is by far the best introductory volume I am aware of both in terms of substance, clarity, and insights.”  — John L. Esposito, Distinguished University Professor, Georgetown University, and Past President of the American Academy of Religion   The Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today is a clear and comprehensive introduction to the academic study of religions, providing readers an introduction to the history and theories of Religious Studies, a survey of global religious traditions, and an overview of religion in the public sphere today.      Discusses theory and methodology in religion, including the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, philosophy, biblical studies, and theology Describes the early development of religion, with overviews of traditions around the world, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto Covers traditions not commonly addressed in introductory textbooks, such as Santeria, Vodou, Tengrism, and indigenous traditions of the Americas Examines recent developments and contemporary issues such as secularization, bioethics, and the rise of religious nationalism Includes access to a companion website with discussion questions, additional material, and helpful primary and secondary sources   Providing the knowledge and tools required to explore and understand the nature and roles of religion, The Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today, Second Edition is an excellent introductory textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in Religious Studies, History of Religion, Religions of the World, and Theory and Method in the Study of Religion, as well as a valuable resource for general readers interested in the role of religion in the world today.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49932358484241,"sku":"NGR9781394183920","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52663375429905,"sku":"NLS9781394183920","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1394183925.jpg?v=1750857577"},{"product_id":"humor-works-book-john-morreall-9780874254006","title":"Humor Works","description":"Increased productivity. High morale. Effective change management. Reduced workplace conflict, stress, and burnout. These aren't laughing matters -- or are they? Most business leaders today completely overlook one of the most valuable tools available to them humor. Using dozens of examples and anecdotes, this book explores the connections between humor and creativity, teamwork, risk-taking, and effective communication. In addition to exploring the benefits of humor, the author also provides research-based explanations and answers to important questions like: -- What is humor? -- Why is it so closely related to creativity -- How does it reduce stress? The book also includes exercises and tips to help you experience the benefits of humor for yourself, and will show you how to implement them in your work.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50244330815761,"sku":"CIN0874254000G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0874254000.jpg?v=1750747372"},{"product_id":"comedy-tragedy-and-religion-book-john-morreall-9780791442067","title":"Comedy, Tragedy, and Religion","description":"CHOICE2000 Outstanding Academic Title  Comedy, tragedy, and religion have been intertwined since ancient Greece, where comedy and tragedy arose as religious rituals. This groundbreaking book analyzes the worldviews of tragedy and comedy, and compares each with the world's major religions. Morreall contrasts the tragic and comic along twenty psychological and social dimensions and uses these to analyze both Eastern and Western traditions.  Although no religion embodies a purely tragic or comic vision of life, some are mostly tragic and others mostly comic. In Eastern religions, Morreall finds no robust tragic vision but does find significant comic features, especially in Taoism and Zen Buddhism. In the Western monotheistic tradition, there are some comic features in the early Bible, but by the late Hebrew Bible, the tragic vision dominates. Two millennia have done little to reverse that tragic vision in Judaism. Christianity, on the other hand,  has shown both tragic and comic features—Morreall writes of the Calvinist vision and the Franciscan vision—but in the contemporary era comic features have come to dominate. The author also explores Islam, and finds it has neither a comic nor a tragic vision. And, among new religions, those which emphasize the personal self come close to having an exclusively comic vision of life.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50360687198481,"sku":"CIN0791442063G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52135202554129,"sku":"NLS9780791442067","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53018830602513,"sku":"GOR011272492","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":53064783692049,"sku":"CIN0791442063A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53564469117201,"sku":"NIN9780791442067","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0791442063.jpg?v=1751395120"},{"product_id":"questions-for-christians-book-john-morreall-9781442223172","title":"Questions for Christians","description":"Questions for Christians: The Surprising Truths behind Basic Beliefs asks whether or not Christians today have gotten Jesus' message right, drawing on the Bible and the history of Christianity for answers. From the gender of God to what happens when we die, Questions for Christians digs into some of the thorniest points of the Christian faith-questions that many people would rather ignore. Most Christians today believe in just wars, but how do we reconcile this belief with Jesus' saying Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, or the pacifism of most early Christians? Protestants and Catholics today generally believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins, but most Orthodox Christians don't believe this, and neither did most Western churches before 1100. What is the truth? Drawing on sources both ancient and modern, John Morreall explores these issues while identifying points of controversy. Some of the answers are surprising, while others provide a more complete understanding of common beliefs.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51798089007377,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51798089466129,"sku":"CIN1442223170G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781442223172.jpg?v=1752164104"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-john-morreall.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}