웃음의 문화 형식의 한 가지 사례 －검은 담즙에서 배양된 웃음, 냉소 －

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to seek how laugh is understood in the western culture, and what is the singularity of the western laugh. I have already studied in a few papers that the self-centric ontology tinges the western culture with melancholy. This paper to be connected with previous studies will deal with how the western laugh, which is looking like the antipode of melancholy, can be understood. Speaking a conclusion in advance, the identity of western laugh is a kind of sneer and it is incubated in the western melancholic culture, which is based on the self-centric ontology of the free man. Therefore the sneer of free man is not inconsistent with melancholy, but only another face of the janus-faced melancholic. First of all, I would like to analyze anecdotes about Democritus, who has been called “smiling philosopher,” in order to draw that conclusion. In the process of analyzing them, the identity of Democritus’ smile will be reveled to be the sneer at the foolishness of people. And I deal with the viewpoint of Freud’s interpretation about the phenomena of the manic-depressive. Freud explained the close relation between manic and depressive, investigating two symptoms in aspects of “psychoanalytic impression” and “economical experience.” It is confirmed through Freud’ examination that the melancholy can be replaced with the opposite symptom. Finally I will look into Nietzsche’s idea about the laugh. Nietzsche is interested in the paradoxical contrast between greek tragedy and brightness (Heiterkeit) and ponders on the deep connection between them. The brightness and laugh which Nietzsche thought about, is disclosed to be the sneer at all sorts of slavery. In conclusion, the western laugh is that of western culture that understand the world in the center of self-freedom, it’ essence is the sneer, and this sneer is in no way inconsistent with melancholy.