Fun, Games, and Humor

The month of April brings fools, showers, and Easter bunnies. But did you know that it's also National Humor Month? We're tickled to bring you a selection of Episodes from the Archive to delight and amuse you all month long.

Just last fall, Josh and Ray teamed up with Thi Nguyen from the University of Utah, author of Games: Agency as Art, to ask what exactly is a game. And earlier in the year, Josh and John spoke to Jeff Israel from Williams College, author of Living with Hate in American Politics and Religion: How Popular Culture Can Defuse Intractable Differences, to ask how comedy and play can help us deal with difficult social issues. It's fair to say that puns (and humor in general) loom large in our work, whether delivered off the cuff or to make deeper points about language and (mis)understanding, and in 2016 Josh and Ken spoke with John Pollack, author of The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More Than Some Antics. Humor, comedy, and satire can also be fraught with peril, which the Philosophers explored in 2015 with Jane Kirtley, Director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota. Of course a good joke can also be like a good philosophical argument, which John and Ken discussed in a vintage program with Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, authors of Plato and A Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes. Enjoy!

Fun, Games, and Humor

Episode Title Guest Related Content

What's In a Game?

Thi Nguyen, Professor of Philosophy, University of Utah Why Games Matter

Comedy and the Culture Wars

Jeffrey Israel, Professor of Religion, Williams College Comedy on the Edges

More Than Pun and Games

Author and former speechwriter John Pollack

The Philosophy of Puns

The Power and Peril of Satire

Jane Kirtley, Professor of Media Ethics and Law, University of Minnesota

The Power and Perils of Satire

Philosophy Through Humor

Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein

Humor The Science of Humor Philosophy and Pop Culture

Comments (2)


lakel's picture

lakel

Thursday, March 20, 2025 -- 12:00 AM

National Humor Month is a

National Humor Month is a great reminder of how comedy, games, and play shape the way we think and interact. The connection between philosophy and humor is fascinating—sometimes a good joke is just as thought-provoking as a deep argument! If you enjoy games that challenge your mind while keeping things fun, you might want to check out Lucky 101 https://lucky101.pk/lucky-101-game-real-or-fake/ —a platform that combines entertainment with the chance to earn rewards.

spenvi343's picture

spenvi343

Thursday, March 20, 2025 -- 3:15 AM

we all need humor

National Humor Month is a great time to reflect on how comedy, satire, and play shape our understanding of the world. From exploring the philosophy of games to analyzing humor’s role in politics and society, these discussions highlight the power of laughter and wit. Speaking of fun, if you’re looking for an engaging way to unwind, check out Truck Simulator Ultimate Dinheiro Infinito here: https://playtruckultimate.com/truck-simulator-ultimate-dinheiro-infinito/ and enjoy limitless trucking adventures!