THE LETTER 30 (Spring 2004) pages 101-110

In Seminar II Lacan identifies Kierkegaard as a ‘humorist’. Why did Lacan describe Kierkegaard as a humorist and not as a Christian or a melancholic? Humour played a crucial role in Kierkegaard’s critique of Hegel: rather than simply express outrage at Hegel’s project, Kierkegaard used humour to indirectly challenge him. In this paper I suggest that Kierkegaard’s indirect critique illuminates a role for humour in Lacanian analysis; and in turn, Lacanian analysis illuminates a role for humour in theology. This paper consists of four parts. First, I consider Freud and Lacan’s views of humour. Second, I look at Kierkegaard’s view of humour. Third, I compare the two in the light of analysis. Fourth, I reflect on analysis, humour, and theology.

Freud and Lacan’s views of humour

Lacan often makes the association between analysis and humour. For example Lacan says:

The closer we get to psychoanalysis being funny the more it is real psychoanalysis. Later on, it will get run in, it will be done by cutting corners and by pulling tricks. No one will understand any longer what’s being done, just as there is…