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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Why Moral Neuroeducation Should Embrace Ethical Humour

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Smiling and laughter are voluntary expressions that come from deep within ourselves. They are reflections of the character we construct through the exercise of our own will. Given that we can laugh in an ethically correct or incorrect manner, an “ethical sense of humour” reflects to what extent an individual’s ethics education has been correctly taught. “Ethical humour” is also therapeutic, in the sense that it is beneficial for one’s health. For example, it stimulates the immune system to fight the negative effects of stress, and stimulates the secretion of endorphins, which have an analgesic effect. Neuroscientific studies have demonstrated, among other things, that the cerebellum plays an important role in modulating the intensity and duration of laughter, and even inhibits it, but this does not indicate when this modulation is correct, and this can only be provided by a reflection on the ethics of humour. The fundamental aspect of ethical humour is that it is practised at the appropriate time and place and to the proper degree, and seeks to promote virtues such as patience, tolerance, kindness, humility, perseverance and courage. The practice of these virtues provides an opportunity to foster improvements in healthcare ethics. Humour also contributes to the rationalisation of what has occurred and prevents thoughtless emotional responses. Following a reflection on these issue over the course of this chapter the concluding discussion sets out the view that neuroscientific studies on humour should employ a concept of “ethical humour” in order to ensure that their results can be implemented to improve healthcare. In relation to this it is proposed that a line of neuroeducation concerned with ethical humour needs to be developed.