Heuristic role of humour
It is obvious that laughter is a wonderful critic and accuser. World satire history proves it. But the question is - is that all that humour and laughter can do?
Theorists often forget about heuristic nature of humour and about its ability to destroy stereotypes.
Traditionally there are only few humorous pages in magazines and programmes on TV. But humour is an integral part in genuine art of the XXth century (Fellini, Picasso, Chaplin).
Humour can be different O black, light, sarcastic. Satire is not humourOs antagonist but a work of art where humour serves as a purposeful critic. Humour stimulates intellect, demonstrates the backward stereotypes failure.
In common parlance comism and humour mean funny. And indeed unfunny
humour is not at all (unfunny satire is not satire). But humour and
laughter, sense of humour and risibility are different.+ To laugh oneself
helpless, to burst into infectious laughter in the cinemas, theatres, in the
crowd does not mean the deep understanding of humour. Simple jokes can be
very funny. And on the contrary humour can be cause not the peals of
laughter but some intellectual effort. Humour is an integral part of an
intellect. Heuristic role of humour means the search for the deviations from
the usual routine, for different oddities, surprises, and alogisms. Humour
gives courage and strength to look paradoxes in the face. Humour reappraises
and protects the values. A funny man by S. Steinberg musing about a question
mark is todayOs OThinkerO by Rodin and a character of OMelancholyO by Durer.
Humour can appear in the society with ideals but not fetishes. real life is
against different formulas and schemes. Real life always gives the right to
surprises. And humour here is quite necessary.
1. P. Breugel. Gluttony. Seven deadly sins.
Detail. 1558.
8. V. Kliban.1968.
4. G. Kantsler. 1957.
9. V. Nenashev.
2. An unknown artists. OFligende blatterO. Late
XIXth century.
5. S. Krasauskas.
3. D. More. General Hans von Sekt. From the
collection OWho are theyO. 1931.
7. I. Sliva.
6. A. Chechot.
By Dmitry Moskin
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