I must say that I was surprised, thought actually delighted, to find that Plato looked down on, even demeaned, humor. Though I did not hear him say it directly, it has been reported to me that he felt it was immature. A society with a philosopher of such opinion is destined to be eclipsed --- and I am surprised that it lasted as long as it did!
Humor is the true measure of our humanity. Without it, we are handicapped personalities, incapable of reaching our utmost potential. Only an I.Q. of our humor, if one existed, could tell us how truly and thoroughly human we are. Goleman constructed an EQ (emotional quotient) — now we need an HQ. Of course, many of us would prefer to go around not knowing this number any more than the IQ, choosing to believe that we are humor geniuses.
A sense of humor, like attitude, is impossible to define precisely. We can say general things like "humor makes us laugh." But good humor doesn't always break out in laughter ---- sometimes it only smiles, or helps us see something with a different perspective, or it gives us strength to endure a hurt.
Edward Teller, the eminent scientist, saw the value of humor. His favorite pipe-dream was that computers would learn to write jokes. He believed that they could perform this function if only humans could precisely define and code the definition and essence of humor. He concludes that the impossibility of this tasks is what makes humor charming and useful. Humor is safe from technology. We can laugh at it, but it can't laugh at us ---- yet! While technology can foul us up, it can't make fun of us.
Biographers, of both the worthy and the unworthy, invariably give us an evaluation of their subject's "sense of humor" or lack. As the crowning or redeeming quality, the high and mighty are justified by being given a kindly sense of humor to connect their eliteness to our mediocrity. Even criminals committing dastardly deeds and possessing few good qualities are spared total renunciation by having a sense of humor. If a humorous remark were made on the way to the gallows it would automatically become the execution's headline…."he died laughing." Invariably we quote robbers, thieves and other social undesirables when they craft a folksy saying like "I rob banks because that's where the money is."
When properly mixed with the chemistry of our emotions, humor promotes a continual sense of well-being. We know from medical studies that laughter supports the production of endorphins which in turn create an overall sense of "okay-ness." It adds strength to our character and sweetness to our personality. Starting from the inside like a genuine smile, true humor works its way out to reflect in our face. Humor is an expression of our philosophy, coming even more from the heart than the mind. King Solomon saw the medicinal value when he commented, "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Humor rose-tints the potential of life without losing the objective present. This ability, like a sense of intelligence or moral rightness, is always expandable. Therefore, it's important that all areas of our life be permeated with a healthy sense of humor.
