Last Edited: Saturday, January 10, 2015 05:56 AM -0600 | Last Updated: Thursday, December 24, 2015 11:27 PM -0600

Abhinavagupta's Conception of Humor (h�sya) [Ph.D. abstract - 1982] 

Introduction

Part I: Humor and Laughter: Psychology, Sociology, Cognitive Science 

  1. The Problem of Defining Humor - notes

  2. Gurdjieff's Theory of Laughter - notes

  3. Laughter and Bisociation

  4. Laughter and Distress

  5. Suddenness: H�sa and Vismaya (Surprise) distinguished

  6. Bisociation and Incongruity

Part II: Aesthetics of H�sa and H�sya in Rasa Theory

  1. H�sa and H�sya as distinguished in Rasa theory

  2. The Role of H�sya in Sanskrit Love Poetry

  3. H�sya and the semblance of Rasa

Part III: Vid�Saka: the Semiotics of Transgression in Hindu Culture

  1. To Laugh or not to Laugh: the Semblance of Humor

  2. The Vid�Saka's World: the Semiotics of Transgression

  3. Wit and Linguistic Ambiguity

  4. Elements  of the Riddle Play (v�th�)

  5. Transgressive Sacrality in the Hindu Tradition

Abhinavagupta's Conception of Humor: Conclusion

Glossary

Bibliography