Paul E. Kirkland is Associate Professor of Political Science at Carthage College, USA.Michael J. McNeal is an independent scholar who teaches at various universities in Denver, USA.

We could all use a good laugh in these times of global pandemic and political fragility. This sparkling set of essays reveals Nietzsche to be a witty practitioner and analyst of comic art who opens up possibilities for a 'joyful science' of public life and politics.

• IntroductionPaul E. Kirkland and Michael J. McNealI. Joy and Knowledge1. A gay science avant la lettre?: Knowledge and Joy in Human, All too Human Ruth Abbey 2. Aesthetics of Joy and Levity for Nietzsche’s Free Spirit Paul E. Kirkland II. Nietzsche’s Joyful Teachings3. Nietzsche’s Übermensch: From Shared Suffering to Shared Joy Melanie Shepherd 4. “Is the Sea Not Full of Verdant Islands?”: Zarathustra on Passing by the Great City Peter S. Groff 5. Why “All Joy Wills Eternity” for Nietzsche Richard J. ElliottIII. Predecessors and Heirs6. What do I Matter?: Nietzsche on Pascal, Self-Obsession, and Good Cheer Jamie Parr 7. Schopenhauer’s Jokes and Nietzsche’s Riddles: Toward a Morphology of Laughter Glen Baier 8. Subversive Playfulness in Nietzsche and Dada Philip Mills IV. Perspectives on Laughter9. On Nietzsche’s ‘Teachings’ about Learning to Laugh at Oneself – A Critical Approach Katia Hay 10. Nietzsche on Masculinity: The Joys of Danger and Play Jeffrey Church 11. The Free Spirits’ Dionysian Mirth: A Laughing Storm to Herald Philosophers of the Future Michael J. McNealBibliographyIndex

Paul E. Kirkland is Associate Professor of Political Science at Carthage College, USA.Michael J. McNeal is an independent scholar who teaches at various universities in Denver, USA.

We could all use a good laugh in these times of global pandemic and political fragility. This sparkling set of essays reveals Nietzsche to be a witty practitioner and analyst of comic art who opens up possibilities for a 'joyful science' of public life and politics.

• IntroductionPaul E. Kirkland and Michael J. McNealI. Joy and Knowledge1. A gay science avant la lettre?: Knowledge and Joy in Human, All too Human Ruth Abbey 2. Aesthetics of Joy and Levity for Nietzsche’s Free Spirit Paul E. Kirkland II. Nietzsche’s Joyful Teachings3. Nietzsche’s Übermensch: From Shared Suffering to Shared Joy Melanie Shepherd 4. “Is the Sea Not Full of Verdant Islands?”: Zarathustra on Passing by the Great City Peter S. Groff 5. Why “All Joy Wills Eternity” for Nietzsche Richard J. ElliottIII. Predecessors and Heirs6. What do I Matter?: Nietzsche on Pascal, Self-Obsession, and Good Cheer Jamie Parr 7. Schopenhauer’s Jokes and Nietzsche’s Riddles: Toward a Morphology of Laughter Glen Baier 8. Subversive Playfulness in Nietzsche and Dada Philip Mills IV. Perspectives on Laughter9. On Nietzsche’s ‘Teachings’ about Learning to Laugh at Oneself – A Critical Approach Katia Hay 10. Nietzsche on Masculinity: The Joys of Danger and Play Jeffrey Church 11. The Free Spirits’ Dionysian Mirth: A Laughing Storm to Herald Philosophers of the Future Michael J. McNealBibliographyIndex