什麼是幽默？能讓人發笑就叫幽默？黃色笑話、黑色幽默算哪種幽默？幽默何時會是不道德的？被不道德的幽默逗樂是不道德的嗎？打開牛津大學出版社最受歡迎通識讀本，用最簡明的方式深度理解幽默的本質與價值。幽默通常被視為人類獨有的情緒，但我們為什麼會「覺得」幽默？為什麼同一個笑話，有人覺得好笑，有人覺得很難笑？如果幽默確實是人類特有的，那麼我們為什麼需要「幽默」？本書以各種笑話、戲劇為例，探討多種關於幽默的主要理論，包括靠嘲笑他人來展現幽默的優越論；與原本認知有所落差而讓人發笑的不一致論；釋放因社會約束而產生的壓抑和滿足慾望的釋放論等等，分析這種情緒狀態的發生條件，闡明幽默的本質，一窺各種笑話、情境喜劇等幽默形式之所以能引人發笑的祕密。本書更從哲學與心理學的角度討論幽默與情緒及認知之間的關係，幽默之於個人及整個社會有那些利益與價值，以及在抒解壓力、緩和緊張氣氛、拉近人際距離與針砭時事等功能背後，幽默可能引發的各種道德問題與潛在的邪惡。【你是知識控嗎？關於牛津通識課】用最簡明直白的方式，了解現代人最需要知道的大問題。牛津通識課（Very Short Introductions，簡稱VSI）是英國牛津大學出版社（Oxford University Press）的系列叢書，秉持「為所有讀者提供一個可讀性強且包羅萬千的工具書圖書館」的信念，於1995年首次推出，多年來已出版近700本讀物，內容涉及歷史、神學、藝術、哲學、文學、醫學、自然科學、政治等數十多種領域。每一本書對應一個主題，由該領域公認的專家撰寫，篇幅簡潔精煉，並提供進一步深度閱讀的建議，確保讀者讀完後能建立該主題的專業級知識框架。
'Fans of Nevermoor will love this quirky debut, fizzingwith humour, scares and vivid world-building.' THE BOOKSELLEREmily's parents have vanished into the secret world of the Midnight Hour - a Victori
‘Clever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it’ S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of BrassCairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, Al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world fifty years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be Al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.Alongside her Ministry colleagues and a familiar person from her past, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery beh
Can YOU make Moose laugh? Get your tickling fingers ready - he's a tough nut to crack! This hilarious lift-the-flap book will have children HOOTING with laughter at each animal's attempt to make Moose chuckle. Watch out for the surprise sound hidden under the final flap, guaranteed to put a smile on faces young and old! With madcap humour and a riotously cheeky animal cast, this chunky board book is perfect for fans of the Oi! Frog series. Also available in the series: Roar!
