About Us
The story of how philosophy got its sense of humor back
Our Story
The Lighthearted Philosophers' Society is a pluralistic, engaging school of inquiry—including scholars from across disciplines—who study philosophies of funniness in a serious way.
The History of the Lighthearted Philosophers' Society
Our Society is a school of thought uniquely suited to the study of comedy and humor; its founding was itself a joke. A group of scholars led by the Society's first president, Dave Monroe, decided to take a break from the usual gravity of academia by hosting a spoof conference dedicated exclusively to funny papers. In 2006, on the porch of a bar in St. Petersburg, FL these scholars held the first meeting of the LPS—all in the name of good fun. The Society continued to meet annually, and although the papers began to focus as much on Philosophies of the Funny as well as Funny Philosophy, the meetings continued to promote merriment as much as academic investment.
The reputation of the conference—always held on a beach in a sunny climate—spread among not only philosophers, but members of various disciplines concerned with funniness. The core group of annual attendees grew and began attracting more senior scholars. These new patrons included Joseph Ellin and Richard Richards, whose generous donations of time, funds, and rigor enabled the Society to flourish. Gradually the Society that had begun as a joke became a well-known working group for the philosophy of funniness.
To date, the Society includes a fully-fledged coterie of officers and a robust annual conference full of both new and repeat attendees. Our membership has published two field-defining books (Richard Richards's A Philosopher Looks at the Sense of Humor and Steve Gimbel's Isn't that Clever: A Philosophical Account of Humor and Comedy) and members have been featured in a special edition of the Florida Philosophical Review dedicated to the LPS's work. The Society's theories have gained great ground, and they have done so while adhering firmly to its emphasis on lighthearted hilarity.
Our Mission
The Lighthearted Philosophers' Society is an organization for philosophers who approach their work with a sense of humor. We strive to create a venue for professional philosophy that is:
- Welcoming – Open to scholars from all backgrounds and specializations
- Engaging – Fostering genuine intellectual exchange and dialogue
- Funny – Because philosophy doesn't have to be dry
We are interested in the philosophy of humor and humorous philosophy from any area of specialization. We especially enjoy papers on philosophical questions about humor itself.
Our History
The Beginning
On the porch of a bar in St. Petersburg, Florida, Dave Monroe and a group of like-minded scholars hold the first meeting of the Lighthearted Philosophers' Society, originally conceived as a spoof conference for funny papers.
Finding Our Voice
The Society continues to meet annually, with papers increasingly focusing on both funny philosophy and the philosophy of humor. The conference begins attracting scholars from across the nation.
Growing Recognition
The LPS develops into a fully-fledged scholarly society with officers and formal membership. Members publish in academic journals and contribute to the growing field of humor philosophy.
Field-Defining Works
Members publish landmark books including Richard Richards's A Philosopher Looks at the Sense of Humor and Steve Gimbel's Isn't that Clever. The society gains international recognition.
Continuing the Tradition
Now in our 18th year, the conference attracts scholars from around the world. We continue to promote merriment alongside academic investment, proving that philosophy and humor make excellent companions.
Executive Board
What Makes Our Conference Unique
Hecklers Welcome
In the spirit of good fun, each accepted submission is accompanied by a "heckler" (commentator). Volunteers can participate by emailing the conference organizer with their areas of specialization.
The best hecklers are considered for the Richard C. Richards Almost Memorial Prize ($50).
Multiple Submission Formats
We accept a variety of submission types:
- Full papers (2,500-3,000 words)
- Panel proposals (350-500 words)
- Short performances (with rationale)
- Abstracts (350-500 words)
Undergraduate Track
We welcome undergraduate students! Submissions must be clearly marked "UNDERGRADUATE" with a running header for separate review. Outstanding undergraduate work is considered for the Zaldivar Award ($75).
Prestigious Awards
Selected papers are considered for the Joseph S. Ellin Memorial Essay Prize ($100), recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of humor philosophy.
Join Our Community
Become part of a vibrant community of scholars who believe that philosophy and humor go hand in hand.