The three topics comprising the title could be addressed in distinct chapters, but are jolted here for two reasons. They are associated in the worldview the author calls Homo risibilis or the ridiculous human being, which this chapter introduces; notwithstanding this contribution, the three transformative states that the notions of happiness, joy, and humor as an umbrella term convey are related so that we may evolve from one to the other: laughter produces mirth, which is a kind of joy, and humor can transform into another relative of joy, (perpetual) cheerfulness. Whilst mirth and cheerfulness fall short of joy’s intensity, happiness conveys a more stable state than joy. Thus, the three states that the notions of humor, joy, and happiness point to involve a deeper change and a more abiding transformation as we move from one to the other. The thesis of Homo risibilis that I present at the end of this chapter ties the three notions, beginning with humor and ending with happiness. It does so by repeatedly and systematically using self-referential laughter as a unique tool for addressing situations that are not necessarily funny yet whose tragic impact can be transmuted into comical incongruities. A final step of acknowledging the ridiculous repetition of the movement from the tragic to the comic, followed by gracing our shared ridiculousness, helps us to stop this never-ending transmutation. These simple steps yield the benefits that the joy of abiding happiness can provide. Before introducing the thesis of Homo risibilis, I address the transformative power of humor, joy, and happiness.