The Scholastics beleived that humor resulted from the sudden realization of one's own superiority. When one suddenly 'discovers' that one is better than a person or situation, one laughs. When you listen to this joke you sudden;y realize how foolish the 'pragmatic scientist' is and laugh.

I think that it is absurd to claim that humor's purpose for human beings is as a means of establishing hierarchy, but it doesn't surprise that might be used in establishing it.

All said, this article was a waste of my time.