Aristotle on Laughter

Aristotle generally agrees with Plato's views, but he adds to the notion of Superiority Theory. In the case of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, he explains the human personality as related to humor. On one end of the spectrum, we have the buffoon, in today's case, I would relate this to the television sitcom; its laugh tracks indicate when the audience should be laughing, dumbing down the humor to the point where the listener does not even have to pay attention to what is said. On the other end of the spectrum, we have what Aristotle calls "the boorish," those who do not take laughter lightly. I would compare this, again to television, with the example of political analyst talk shows; so invested are they in their political cause, that they rarely leave room for light-hearted humor. In the middle is the sophisticated; Aristotle's "well-bred and educated" mean. This jokester knows the proper moments and subject-matter to cause laughter in his audience. This I would compare to Tonight Show host Conan O'Brian. While his wit provides wonderful humor, he remains aware of his new position in prime-time television. He censors much of his comments, as opposed to his position on Late Night, where his audience would be generally less significant and perhaps expecting a moreso crude humor.