Senses of Humor as Political Virtues

Abstract

This article discusses whether a sense of humor is a political virtue. It argues that a sense of humor is conducive to the central political virtues. We must first, however, delineate different types of humor (benevolent or malicious) and the different political virtues (sociability, prudence, and justice) to which they correspond. Generally speaking, a sense of humor is politically virtuous when it encourages good will toward fellow citizens, an awareness of the limits of power, and a tendency not to take oneself too seriously or when it condemns moral or intellectual vice. An analysis of President Donald Trumps deeply flawed sense of humor is used to ground this account.

Having a Sense of Humor as a Virtue

“…In particular, he thinks that a sense of humor often fosters self-recognition and self-knowledge. Deen (2018) also argues that a sense of humor is epistemically valuable, suggesting that it both engenders "an awareness of the limits of power" and promotes "a tendency not to take oneself too seriously." Like Lippitt, Roberts (1988) thinks that a sense of humor is a virtue only when allied to other virtues, such as compassion and hope.…”