When people are asked what's important in their lives，they often mention humor，yet philosophers would disagree.
    The first is how little they have said.The most that major philosophers like Plato，Hobbes，and Kant wrote about laughter or humor was a few paragraphs within a discussion of another topic.Martian anthropologists（人類學(xué)家） comparing the amount of philosophical writing on humor with what has been written on，say，justice，might well conclude that humor could be left out of human life without much loss.
    The second is how negative most philosophers have been in their assessments of humor.From ancient Greece until the 20th century，the vast majority of philosophical comments on laughter and humor focused on scornful（蔑視的）or mocking laughter，or on laughter that overpowers people，rather than on comedy，wit，or joking.Plato，the most influential critic of laughter，treated laughter as an emotion that overrides （凌駕于） rational self-control.He says the guardians of the state should avoid laughter，"for when one abandons himself to violent laughter，his condition causes a violent reaction." Another of Plato's objections to laughter is that it is evil.Plato analyzes the enjoyment of comedy as a form of scorn.The people we laugh at imagine themselves to be wealthier，better looking，or more virtuous than they really are.In laughing at them，we take delight in something evil：their self-ignorance.
    Because of these objections to laughter and humor，Plato says that in the ideal state，comedy should be tightly controlled. "We shall order that such representations be left to slaves or hired aliens，and receive no serious consideration whatsoever.No free person，whether woman or man，shall be found taking lessons in them."
    Greek thinkers after Plato had similarly negative comments.Though Aristotle considered wit a valuable part of conversation，he agreed with Plato that laughter expresses scorn.The Stoics，with their emphasis on self-control，agreed with Plato that laughter weakens self-control.Epictetus's Enchiridion advises "Let not your laughter be loud，frequent，or unrestrained." His followers said that he never laughed at all.

（1）What conclusion do Martian anthropologists make on humor？

Humor could be left out of human life without much loss.

Humor could be left out of human life without much loss.

（2）Why did Plato suggest that the governors of a country should get rid of laughter？

Because Plato thought violent laughter causes a violent reaction.

Because Plato thought violent laughter causes a violent reaction.

（3）Please decide which part is false in the following statement，then underline it and explain why.
The Stoics also had negative comments on laughter but they emphasized that laughter strengthened self-control.

The Stoics also had negative comments on laughter but they emphasized that laughter strengthened self-control.；Because the Stoics thought that laughter weakens self-control.

The Stoics also had negative comments on laughter but they emphasized that laughter strengthened self-control.；Because the Stoics thought that laughter weakens self-control.

（4）Do you agree with the philosophers' ideas mentioned in the passage about humor？Why or why not？（In about 40 words）

I don't agree with the philosophers' ideas mentioned in the passage，because I think laughter is a human instinct and humor is a necessity in life.Both of them are indispensable seasonings，which make our life colorful and meaningful.Without laughter and humor，life would be boring and dull.

I don't agree with the philosophers' ideas mentioned in the passage，because I think laughter is a human instinct and humor is a necessity in life.Both of them are indispensable seasonings，which make our life colorful and meaningful.Without laughter and humor，life would be boring and dull.