ABSTRACT
This chapter states how satire can contribute to the social sciences as a form of critique which draws out the absurd residing in the apparently rational. Satire has been defined as a literary manner which blends a critical attitude with humour and wit to the end that human institutions or humanity may be improved. Satire can take a number of forms, usually referred to as formal (or direct) satire and indirect satire. This ambivalence renders satire potentially problematic in ethical terms for the social sciences. The pleasure to be gained from satire may be similar to Freud's tendentious (hostile) joke in allowing us to turn to good account those ridiculous features in our enemy that the presence of opposing obstacles would not let us utter aloud or consciously it will get around restrictions and open up sources of pleasure that have become inaccessible. The satirist as intellectual critic takes on the role of pessimistic activist or maybe the passionate cynic.
