Full Idea
Humour provides an oblique phenomenology of ordinary life; it is a way of describing the situation of our existence, and, at its best, it indicates how we might change that situation.
Gist of Idea
Humour can give a phenomenological account of existence, and point to change
Source
Simon Critchley (Interview with Baggini and Stangroom [2001], p.198)
Book Reference
Baggini,J/Stangroom,J: 'New British Philosophy' [Routledge 2002], p.198
A Reaction
The trouble is that this leads us to relentlessly political standup comedians who aren't very funny. Critichley may have a problem with remarks which are very funny precisely because they are so politically incorrect. I sympathise, though.