by Jim Vandergriff
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

This is a fun book. As the subtitle says, it is a philosopher’s treatise on jokes. That is, it looks at jokes through the lens of philosophy: why do we find particular jokes amusing? why do we tell jokes to each other? etc. Even though it is fun to read, I must say that I didn’t find Cohen’s contribution to be either very exciting or very convincing. (I think I like the psychological explanations of humor better.)

I also do not find the book of particular value to folklorists. It doesn’t approach the subject in any way that is very compatible with, say, what Brunvand has to say about jokes in The Study of American Folklore (4th ed., p. 238 ff), even though it analyzes some similar material -- ethnic jokes, grape jokes, shaggy dog stories.

I do like some of what Cohen says -- that we need to distinguish between "liking" a joke and considering that joke tasteful, that we needn’t beat ourselves up for being entertained by politically incorrect material, and that telling jokes is generally about community building.

Another point in the book’s favor is that it contains lots of jokes, many of which I hadn’t heard before. It’s also a quite accessible book in the sense that, even though it is making quite serious philosophical arguments, it is written in plain language. Most readers would have no trouble following Cohen’s arguments.

In general, while the book may have some scholarly value, it is more an entertainment than a serious contribution to scholarship. So, while some MFSJ readers might find it useful and entertaining, I cannot recommend it to the general readership.