There is a collective as well as an individual humor inclining peoples to sadness or cheerfulness, making them see things in bright or somber lights. In fact, only society can pass a collective opinion on the value of human life; for this the individual is incompetent.

In this quote, Émile Durkheim explores the relationship between individual and collective humor, and how it shapes people’s perceptions of the world. He suggests that humor, whether personal or shared, has the power to influence mood, either leading people toward sadness or cheerfulness. Collective humor, which is shared within a society, has the ability to affect the general outlook of a group, making them see situations in either a bright or somber light. This reflects Durkheim’s belief in the significant role that social norms and collective experiences play in shaping individual emotions and perspectives.

Durkheim also argues that only society, as a whole, can determine the value of human life. He believes that the individual alone is incapable of making such a judgment, as they are influenced by their personal circumstances and biases. Instead, it is society’s collective judgment, informed by shared values, beliefs, and experiences, that ultimately defines what is meaningful or valuable. This idea highlights the sociological perspective that individual experiences are deeply intertwined with the larger social context in which they occur.

The quote underscores Durkheim's broader theory of social facts, where he contends that individual behavior and emotions are shaped by external, collective forces. By focusing on the role of humor in shaping attitudes, he emphasizes that society’s influence extends beyond the obvious social structures and norms to include more subtle factors, such as humor and collective mood. Humor, in this context, is not just a personal trait but a collective force that can unify or divide people based on shared or differing emotional reactions.

Ultimately, Durkheim’s words remind us that the value and meaning we assign to life and experiences are not solely personal but are heavily shaped by society’s collective opinion. Our emotional responses, including humor, are shaped by the larger social context and collective perspectives that influence how we see the world.