Abstract

This thesis examines comedy and humour as they are seen in everyday life, and contends that they play a unique role in forming our outlook on the world. There is nothing quite like humour: it requires seriousness but it is silly; it uses rational constructs but creates something irrational; it seems to make fun of things which paradoxically we end up caring about even more. Through an exploration of the different ways comedy and humour are used, both in everyday life and popular entertainment, this thesis aims to determine the value of having a sense of humour. It proposes that through an active participation in making fun – of ourselves, of each other and of the world – we realise a potential path to enlightenment.