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How did Thomas Hobbes link laughter to feelings of superiority?
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humor
The American standup comedian and author George Carlin performed a famous routine about words that cannot be said on television.
In his 1651 work Leviathan, the philosopher Thomas Hobbes defined the passion of laughter as a "sudden glory".1
According to Hobbes, this feeling arises from a sudden realization of one's own "eminency" or superiority when compared to the infirmity of others, or even in comparison to one's own past self. This perspective frames laughter as a psychological response rooted in self-assertiveness and the momentary elevation of the self over those perceived as less fortunate or capable.1
While theories on humor vary, this "superiority theory" remains a foundational concept in understanding the aggressive and competitive elements often present in human laughter.1