Feminism and the Religious Significance of Laughing Bodies

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

This book identifies the significance of the body through a feminist reconceptualisation of laughter as a means of insight.

It positions itself within the emerging scholarship on religion and humour but distinguishes itself by moving away from the emphasis on humour and instead focuses on the place and role of laughter. Through a feminist reading of laughter, which is grounded in the philosophical and psychological works of William James, this book emphasises the importance of the body to offer an exploration of laughter as a means of insight. In doing so, it challenges the classificatory orders of knowledge by recognising and arguing for the value of the body in the creation of knowledge and understanding. To demonstrate the centrality of the body for insight laughter, and thus the creation of knowledge, this book engages with laughter within three thematic areas: religious experience, gendered experiences of laughter, and the ethics of laughter.

This book will be of interest to students and researchers in religious studies,
theology, gender studies, humour studies, philosophy, and the history of ideas.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationOxon
PublisherRoutledge
Number of pages196
ISBN (Electronic)9781040030455
ISBN (Print)9781003365068
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jun 2024

Keywords

  • Laughter
  • Humour & Religion
  • Feminism
  • Body

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