Technology is a laughing matter

Bergson, the comic and technology

Journal article (2017)

Authors

S. Steinert Ludwig Maximilians University, Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, External organisation
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Published Date

2017

Language

English

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Abstract

There seems to be no connection between philosophy of humor and the philosophy of technology. In this paper, I want to make the case that there is. I will pursue a twofold goal in this paper: First, I will take an account from one of the seminal figures in the philosophy of humor, Henri Bergson, and bring out its merits for a philosophy of technology. Bergson has never been fully appreciated as a philosopher of technology. I will fill this gap and show that Bergson’s account of the comic contains some interesting insights about our relation to technology. Second, I will show that humor and the comic open up a new perspective on technology that may facilitate new ways of thinking about our technological culture.

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