@article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Humor and Disobedience: Understanding Controversial Humor}, series = {Filosofiska Notiser, {\AA}rg{\aa}ng 3, Nr. 3, Oktober 2016, pp. 23-44.}, journal = {Filosofiska Notiser, {\AA}rg{\aa}ng 3, Nr. 3, Oktober 2016, pp. 23-44.}, abstract = {In this article, I analyze controversial humor and argue that the concept of disobedience is of central importance when evaluating, for instance, harsh or potentially hurtful jokes. Following social critic Erich Fromm (1900- 1980) I claim that disobedience is a dialectic concept: that is, it includes the possibilities both to affirm and to reject. This observation connects humor to other values, and pivotal is how humor is related to the question of what it means to be a human being. Through this insight, I argue that controversial humor may shock and be offensive, or it can be amusing and even have a cathartic effect. In the end, in evaluating humor it is necessary to analyze the values behind humor, that is, what humor obeys and what it disobeys.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Erich Fromm and Critical Humor Research}, series = {Fromm Forum (English Edition - ISSN 1437-1189), 20 / 2016, Tuebingen (Selbstverlag), pp. 41-49.}, volume = {e19/2016d}, journal = {Fromm Forum (English Edition - ISSN 1437-1189), 20 / 2016, Tuebingen (Selbstverlag), pp. 41-49.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Social Character (Fromm)}, series = {V. Zeigler-Hill, T.K. Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, New York (Springer International Publishing), 2017, 4 pp.}, journal = {V. Zeigler-Hill, T.K. Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, New York (Springer International Publishing), 2017, 4 pp.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Socially Critical Humor: Discussing Humor with Erich Fromm and Theodor W. Adorno}, series = {Id{\´e}ias, Campinas, SP, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 87-108.}, journal = {Id{\´e}ias, Campinas, SP, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 87-108.}, abstract = {This article brings Erich Fromm and Theodor W. Adorno back into dialogue by discussing the cultural phenomena of humor and laughter based on their theoretical writings. I argue that what is typically considered socially critical humor, like offensive jokes or harsh satire, often fails to meet the preconditions of criticism in the light of Adorno's and Fromm's thinking. Humor, to be socially critical, has to be life-affirmative and non-positional, and it has to challenge the limits of humor. It is also claimed that in this scope, humor cannot be instrumental.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahtietal, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno and et al.,}, title = {Insults, humour and freedom of speech}, series = {French Cultural Studies 2016, Vol. 27, pp. 245-255.}, journal = {French Cultural Studies 2016, Vol. 27, pp. 245-255.}, abstract = {In this article we argue that freedom of speech should be understood as a social freedom. In the public discussion after the Charlie Hebdo attacks, it has often been understood as an absolute right to say anything - to offend, to make a fool of others and of oneself, and to express any opinion regardless of the consequences. We challenge this view and propose that advocating freedom of speech without understanding its social foundations is misleading and counterproductive. Based on the critical social theories of Erich Fromm, Charles Taylor and Axel Honneth, we show that there is an alternative tradition in which freedom is fundamentally rooted in social relations and therefore requires respect for others. We argue that interpreting freedom of speech as a social freedom avoids some of the problems apparent in current discussions. In addition, our position has significant practical consequences on how humour and insults should be understood.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {The Necrophilic Laughter: Humor as a Social Pathology}, series = {Fromm Forum (English Edition - ISSN 1437-1189), 22 / 2018, Tuebingen (Selbstverlag), pp. 038-049.}, volume = {e22/2018c}, journal = {Fromm Forum (English Edition - ISSN 1437-1189), 22 / 2018, Tuebingen (Selbstverlag), pp. 038-049.}, abstract = {In this article, I claim that humor can be a form of social pathology. In opposition to the general humor-affirmative atmosphere, I develop the critical tradition of humor research, and suggest that there is a darker side to fun and laughter. Using insights from Henri Bergson's theory about laughter and Erich Fromm's critical social thinking, I formulate a novel theoretical combination which opens up fruitful perspectives on contemporary humor and its social nature. This empirically motivated conceptual position helps us to understand the role and function of humor and laughter. My conclusion is that parts of the contemporary humor catalogue reflect collective destructive and even death-orientated tendencies. The main argument is that if humor is not in line with humanistic values and is not based on a life-orientated worldview, it is in danger of becoming pathological.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Huumorin kahlittu vapaus}, series = {Teoksessa S. Knuuttila, P. Hakamies and E. Lampela (Eds.), Kalevalaseuran 94, SKS 2015, pp. 19-35; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, journal = {Teoksessa S. Knuuttila, P. Hakamies and E. Lampela (Eds.), Kalevalaseuran 94, SKS 2015, pp. 19-35; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, language = {fi} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Kilpailuni L{\"a}p{\"a}isem{\"a} Huumori}, series = {Teoksessa S. Knuuttila, P. Hakamies and E. Lampela (Eds.), Kalevalaseuran 94, SKS 2015, pp. 379-392; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, journal = {Teoksessa S. Knuuttila, P. Hakamies and E. Lampela (Eds.), Kalevalaseuran 94, SKS 2015, pp. 379-392; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, language = {fi} } @misc{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {The Relevance of >social character< to Humor Studies}, series = {J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016, 19 pp.}, journal = {J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016, 19 pp.}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Laughing at Oneself: On the New Social Character}, series = {Studies in Social and Political Thought, Vol. 2 (Summer 2015), pp. 116-131; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, journal = {Studies in Social and Political Thought, Vol. 2 (Summer 2015), pp. 116-131; reprint in J. Hietalahti, The Dynamic Concept of Humor. Erich Fromm and the Possibility of Humane Humor, Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a} (University of Jyv{\"a}skyl{\"a}) 2016.}, language = {en} } @misc{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Review R. Funk, Life Itself Is an Art, New York 2019}, series = {Marx \& Philosophy. Online-Review of Books, Canterbury, February 1, 2020.}, journal = {Marx \& Philosophy. Online-Review of Books, Canterbury, February 1, 2020.}, language = {en} } @book{HietalahtiPekkola, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno and Pekkola, Mika}, title = {Terapiaa Mielipuoliselle Maailmalle. Erich Fromm Ja Radikaalihumanismin Lupaus, Tampere (Vastpaino) 2019, 256 pp.}, language = {fi} } @misc{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Review Durkin, K., and Braune, J. (Eds.): Erich Fromm's Critical Theory: Hope, Humanism, and the Future: Erich Fromm's Hopeful Humanism}, series = {Radical Philosophy Review, Vol. 24, No. 1 (2021), pp. 101-104. [Online ISSN 1569-1659] [doi.org/10.5840/radphilrev20212416]}, journal = {Radical Philosophy Review, Vol. 24, No. 1 (2021), pp. 101-104. [Online ISSN 1569-1659] [doi.org/10.5840/radphilrev20212416]}, language = {en} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Huumorin dynaaminen k{\"a}site. Erich Fromm ja humaanin huumorin mahdollisuus}, series = {Ajatus: Suomen filosofisen yhdistyksen vuosikirja, Vol. 73 (2016), pp. 281-287. [Print ISSN 0355-1725] [journal.fi/ajatus/article/view/67646/27979]}, journal = {Ajatus: Suomen filosofisen yhdistyksen vuosikirja, Vol. 73 (2016), pp. 281-287. [Print ISSN 0355-1725] [journal.fi/ajatus/article/view/67646/27979]}, abstract = {Arvoisa kustos, kunnioitettu vastav{\"a}itt{\"a}j{\"a}, hyv{\"a}t kuulijat. Huumori on hauska juttu. Jokainen tunnistaa maailmassa moninaisia huvittavia sattumuksia ilman mink{\"a}{\"a}nlaista ongelmaa. Mutta kun filosofi yritt{\"a}{\"a} tavoittaa huumorin ytimen, se karkaa aina hyppysist{\"a}. Joka kerta kun joku kuvittelee m{\"a}{\"a}ritelleens{\"a} huumorin kattavasti, muuttaa hupi muotoaan ja nauraa vanhoille m{\"a}{\"a}ritelmille. T{\"a}m{\"a} huumorin jatkuva l{\"a}sn{\"a}olo ja ikuinen saavuttamattomuus muodostavat kihelm{\"o}iv{\"a}n ristiriidan, joka houkuttelee tutkijaa hakkaamaan p{\"a}{\"a}t{\"a}{\"a}n sein{\"a}{\"a}n aina uudestaan ja uudestaan.}, language = {fi} } @article{HietalahtiToivanen, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno and Toivanen, Juhana}, title = {El{\"a}v{\"a}t kuolleet: Aristoteles, Hobbes ja Fromm modernin zombikuvaston valossa}, series = {Ajatus: Suomen filosofisen yhdistyksen vuosikirja, Vol. 76 (2019), pp. 229-265. [Print ISSN 0355-1725] [journal.fi/ajatus/article/view/88151/47393]}, journal = {Ajatus: Suomen filosofisen yhdistyksen vuosikirja, Vol. 76 (2019), pp. 229-265. [Print ISSN 0355-1725] [journal.fi/ajatus/article/view/88151/47393]}, abstract = {Zombeja k{\"a}sittelev{\"a}t televisiosarjat ja sarjakuvat ovat viime vuosina saavuttaneet suurta suosiota. Esimerkiksi >The Walking Dead<-sarjan ensimm{\"a}inen jakso n{\"a}ytettiin samanaikaisesti 120 maassa, ja sarjaa on sittemmin katsonut tuotantokaudesta riippuen 5-15 miljoonaa katsojaa. Post-apokalyptinen maailma kiehtoo suurta yleis{\"o}{\"a}, koska dystooppiset tarinat peilaavat erilaisia k{\"a}sityksi{\"a} ihmisten perusolemuksesta ja yhteiskunnan perustasta; sarjaa voi pit{\"a}{\"a} filosofisena ajatuskokeena, jolla testataan, miten erilaiset n{\"a}kemykset toimisivat luonnontilaan paluun j{\"a}lkeen. Artikkelimme l{\"a}ht{\"o}kohta on, ett{\"a} zombikuvasto tarjoaa hedelm{\"a}llisen tilaisuuden filosofisastelemme yhteiskunnan romahtamisen j{\"a}lkeist{\"a} tilaa yhteiskuntafilosofian klassikoiden, Aristoteleen ja Thomas Hobbesin avulla. Pyrimme osoittamaan, ett{\"a} Hobbesin luonnontilan k{\"a}sitteen rinnalla Aristoteleen eettiset ja yhteiskuntafilosofiset n{\"a}kemykset tarjoavat hy{\"o}dyllisen n{\"a}k{\"o}kulman sivilisaation romahduksen j{\"a}lkeisen kuvitteellisen tilanteen ymm{\"a}rt{\"a}miseen. T{\"a}ydenn{\"a}mme analyysia sosiaalipsykologi Erich Frommin yhteiskuntaluonteen k{\"a}sitteell{\"a} ja osoitamme, ett{\"a} dystopiaan sis{\"a}ltyy lupaus utopiasta, paremmasta maailmasta. Yleisesti ottaen esit{\"a}mme, ett{\"a} populaarikulttuurin ja filosofian yhdist{\"a}minen tarjoaa oivaltavan n{\"a}k{\"o}kulman nykyisen l{\"a}nsimaisen ihmiskuvan peruselementtien ymm{\"a}rt{\"a}miseen.}, language = {fi} } @article{Hietalahti, author = {Hietalahti, Jarno}, title = {Humanism contested: Four Frommian responses to feminist critique, antihumanism, posthumanism, and transhumanism - https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000399}, series = {The Humanist Psychologist (American Psychological Association - APA), Vol. 53 (2025), pp. 545-564.}, journal = {The Humanist Psychologist (American Psychological Association - APA), Vol. 53 (2025), pp. 545-564.}, abstract = {In this article, I will analyze how Erich Fromm's humanism responds to the relatively recent criticism that humanism has faced. To accomplish this, I will address four challenges: antihumanism, transhumanism, posthumanism, and feminism. My main argument is that criticism of humanism in general can be countered using Fromm's humanistic theories and ideals. I argue that humanism has been wrongly or inadequately accused of various horrors based on shallow premises and flawed arguments. Even when the criticism is valuable and challenges traditional humanism, Fromm's interpretation of this philosophical tradition can address these accusations. The article's main research question is how Fromm's humanism overcomes the aforementioned forms of criticism. Additionally, are any of the critical accusations still relevant to Fromm's writings? Most importantly, are there critical questions to which Fromm cannot respond? I will argue that, while Fromm's personal opinions may have been problematic on certain issues, his theoretical framework is stronger. In the broader sense, his theories help us overcome issues that he may have personally neglected. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)}, language = {en} }