Alan Watts - The Social Institution

Описание: "The Social Institution" segment from "The Joker" lecture

Here Watts discusses that archetypical character also known as "The Jester" or "The Fool". The role of this personage is to say what none dare say, to laugh at kings, sneer at nobles, break taboos, and offend polite society. Who would want such a person around? Nobody -- and everybody! So he persists, from Shakespeare, clear through to the Comedy Channel. Because without someone to parody them, our societies become parodies of themselves, freezing into some kind of brittle ice sculpture which we must all circle on tiptoe. The Joker smashes this fragile edifice. Thus he proves, by our laughter, tears, or outrage, that we are still genuine people, not merely automatons.

The Joker mocks all, and defers to no one. The rules and roles of convention do not apply to him. He is beyond it all, but he can play any role, for he is the Wild Card.

Alan Watts often quoted an Eastern aphorism: "When two Zen Masters meet on the road, they need no introduction; thieves and rogues recognize one another immediately."

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