Many historians and philosophers throughout history and today have tried to explain what makes something funny. One of the most influential of these theories is the theory of incongruity, which is humor where two contrasting ideas that are not expected to happen together happen together. This subversion of thought can be seen constantly in comedy, however, many throughout the years have been trying to explain what makes some types of incongruity to be funny but other types to be just awkward.
I believe that Kant's theory on incongruity is the most persuasive argument in this essay. The idea that incongruity is when expectation is built and the subverted is the best way to describe the theory of incongruity because it is that subversion of expectation that makes incongruity funny. However, Kant's theory is not universal to all incongruity humor. Bain, however, counters this point by talking about when incongruity and subverted expectations lead to other emotions than humor, such as anger and awkwardness, such as child abuse, where in it is expected that the parent is nurturing, but in reality, they are not.
Although Bain's theory has valid points, it is important to understand that context is everything when it comes to humor. Many if not all of the things in Bain's list of incongruities might be funny in the correct context, so it us important to consider context when thinking critically about the incongruity theory. Although it is not always necessarily true, Kant's theory is the most persuasive because it is a basic explanation of why incongruity can be so funny sometimes and go wrong in comedy other times.
I believe that Kant's theory on incongruity is the most persuasive argument in this essay. The idea that incongruity is when expectation is built and the subverted is the best way to describe the theory of incongruity because it is that subversion of expectation that makes incongruity funny. However, Kant's theory is not universal to all incongruity humor. Bain, however, counters this point by talking about when incongruity and subverted expectations lead to other emotions than humor, such as anger and awkwardness, such as child abuse, where in it is expected that the parent is nurturing, but in reality, they are not.
Although Bain's theory has valid points, it is important to understand that context is everything when it comes to humor. Many if not all of the things in Bain's list of incongruities might be funny in the correct context, so it us important to consider context when thinking critically about the incongruity theory. Although it is not always necessarily true, Kant's theory is the most persuasive because it is a basic explanation of why incongruity can be so funny sometimes and go wrong in comedy other times.
Kant's incongruity theory also brings in relief theory too in the sense that it has to be something that builds tension, and is then dissipated by the incongruity.
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