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12th out of 47 books
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11 voters
Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture (Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture)
Explore the philosophical depths of Batman, Superman, Captain America, and your other favorite superheroes—FOR FREE!
Behind the cool costumes, special powers, and unflagging determination to fight evil you’ll find fascinating philosophical questions and concerns deep in the hearts and minds of your favorite comic book heroes.
Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end ev...more
Behind the cool costumes, special powers, and unflagging determination to fight evil you’ll find fascinating philosophical questions and concerns deep in the hearts and minds of your favorite comic book heroes.
Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end ev...more
Kindle Edition, 157 pages
Published
June 24th 2011
by Wiley
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When I first saw the title of the book, I couldn't believe my eyes. There are few things I love more than superheroes, and one of those is philosophy. So to say that this was the perfect book for me, is a slight underestimation (and on top of that it was FREE, halleluja).
It didn't disappoint me either. I know how exhaustingly difficult it can be to wrap ones head around various philosophical ideas and theories, but William Irwin does an excellent job at keeping it on a level you understand. It's...more
It didn't disappoint me either. I know how exhaustingly difficult it can be to wrap ones head around various philosophical ideas and theories, but William Irwin does an excellent job at keeping it on a level you understand. It's...more
This is free for the Kindle! Anyway, with the Avengers individual movies largely behind us, the group epic less than a year way and so many other superhero flicks: Spider Man, Green Lantern, etc., this is a great read for someone more interested in philosophy than comics, per se. I think The Watchmen was the only comic of any kind I have read in my adult life, but I couldn’t walk about of the Green Lantern movie without referencing the august philosophical work Schopenhauer’s World as Will and I...more
This is my 4th venture into the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. I've previously read Watchmen and Philosophy: A Rorschach Test, X-Men and Philosophy: Astonishing Insight and Uncanny Argument in the Mutant X-Verse, and Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul.This book is a culmination of the best essays from various comic related books in the series.
A few of these I'd already read in the previously mentioned books, but there were quite a few that I hadn't read. These essays touch o...more
A few of these I'd already read in the previously mentioned books, but there were quite a few that I hadn't read. These essays touch o...more
I loved, loved, loved this book! Reading this was like having a group of fellow comic fans and philosophers over for a very long and exciting discussion. I devoured this. If you want to look differently at the world and at your favorite comic characters, then this is the book for you. I realize that this is a hook for people to get into the series with examples from different works, but I have to say, one of my favorites was unique to this volume (Captain America and the Virtue of Modesty). I pu...more
This book is most effective when it shows a comic book character, gives textual examples of that character's consistent ideology, and then surveys the philosophers who founded/explained that particular worldview for the very first time. In these kinds of sections, the comic book and philosophy explorations interweave seamlessly, creating good layers of thought. I would give these sections 4 stars.
Other sections of this book (and keep in mind that chapters were written by different authors), do...more
Building on a growing trend of "Philosophy and..." books that run the gamut of pop cultures, Superheroes is a great way to introduce people to philosophy, especially those who might not be otherwise inclined. A series of essays, the work covers both the Marvel and DC universes as well as philosophers from Plato through to Derek Parfit (b. 1942). It would be easy to dismiss this series as nothing more than philosophical fluff dumbed-down for the masses, but I think one would be missing something...more
I don’t read comic books, but this title sounded like a very fun read. Sadly, I couldn’t finish this book. I read the first chapter and skimmed a few more, but couldn’t continue because of a glaring problem: the book assumes you are intimately familiar with various superhero stories. Here are a few sample sentences from a chapter on Thor: “Indeed, when Odin deliberates on Thor’s punishment, he is advised by no less than Seidring the Merciless, who reminds him that ‘justice is justice.’ Odin deci...more
This free Kindle book served as an introduction to the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, books I've been meaning to check out. The concept of using pop culture as a springboard to philosophical questions continues a long tradition...
"Philosophers of old understood this and came up with their own memorable examples to illustrate their theories, from Plato’s (428–348 BCE) allegory of the cave to Descartes’ (1596–1650) evil deceiver and beyond. In this book, we continue that long traditi...more
"Philosophers of old understood this and came up with their own memorable examples to illustrate their theories, from Plato’s (428–348 BCE) allegory of the cave to Descartes’ (1596–1650) evil deceiver and beyond. In this book, we continue that long traditi...more
This is free for the Kindle! Anyway, with the Avengers individual movies largely behind us, the group epic less than a year way and so many other superhero flicks: Spider Man, Green Lantern, etc., this is a great read for someone more interested in philosophy than comics, per se. I think The Watchmen was the only comic of any kind I have read in my adult life, but I couldn’t walk about of the Green Lantern movie without referencing the august philosophical work Schopenhauer’s World as Will and I...more
First sentence: "Philosophy can change your life, but it may take a superhero for you to realize it."
P. 99: "Perhaps the most surprising emotion that one might advocate as the proper impetus for action is avaris."
Last sentence: "In the X-Verse we should be less dubious of Emma Frost working with the X-Men; the less catlike Beast should question whether, even if the secondary mutation were reversed, he would be the character they miss; and the next time Jean Grey comes back from the dead, we shou...more
P. 99: "Perhaps the most surprising emotion that one might advocate as the proper impetus for action is avaris."
Last sentence: "In the X-Verse we should be less dubious of Emma Frost working with the X-Men; the less catlike Beast should question whether, even if the secondary mutation were reversed, he would be the character they miss; and the next time Jean Grey comes back from the dead, we shou...more
I think this technique should be utilized more. As a huge fan of superheroes and someone with more than a passing interest in philosophy, I love the way this book works. A variety of authors write an essay on a different philosophical concept using a superhero of their choice. The results are enlightening as well as entertaining and most of the writers are surprisingly or unexpectedly funny, which makes the reading ever easier. Makes one think...and want to read more comics. Recommended.
An interesting overview of many philosophical ideas and important people in the field, using superheroes as an excellent reference point for people who have trouble with academic texts while still maintaining the air of legitimate authority in the field, it is a great introduction for those new to philosophy and provides interesting insight into those who are more well read. overall the book was really effective, very interesting, and easy to read.
Interesting. While simply written, it is succinct for what it covers. Good tool to open philosophical thinking to minds that are heavily exposed to pop culture or 'nerdy things'. Also a good business move to get people to consider buying the really 'meaty' books of the series and for teachers to consider thinking about using 'superheroes' in philosophy classes or group discussions.
It's a light simple and interesting read. Nothing groundbreaking but it's a fun little read that offers some interesting perspectives on some of the more A-List heroes. I've wasted more time reading a lot worse. 3 Stars for the fact it killed time, didn't make me feel like I was wasting time, nor did I feel like my time was being benefited from really reading it.
This is such a great book and also a really easy read for anyone who wants to learn some philosophical theory, applying it to superheroes really helps! Plus its FREE!
Some of my favourite topics included Why doesn't Batman kill the Joker? and Does Peter Parker lead a good life?
Simply AWESOME!!!
Some of my favourite topics included Why doesn't Batman kill the Joker? and Does Peter Parker lead a good life?
Simply AWESOME!!!
This was a really fun, surprisingly quick read. Some great insights into our favorite heroes (Captain America, Batman, Spider-Man, and others) are presented and the contributors do a wonderful job of keeping the writing light and easy to understand even as it covers such heavy topics as what it means to be a person.
For a comic book fan and a philosophy fan that book was super interesting and fun! I really enjoyed the essay on why Batman doesn't kill the Joker or the one on the Green Lanterns. It's not a perfect book and some essays were less good than others but overall a great read.
I do love the Pop Culture philosophy series, and this is a great introduction for people who aren't sure they're going to like it.
I downloaded it for free from the Kindle store and it has a good overview of topics — it definitely picked the best articles from the Pop Culture philosophy series. I recommend it.
I downloaded it for free from the Kindle store and it has a good overview of topics — it definitely picked the best articles from the Pop Culture philosophy series. I recommend it.
This was so much fun. I am not a great reader of philosophy, however, the use of superheroes for the examples worked well. I enjoyed the diversity of philosophy covered, even when I was not as familar with the different superheroes. I really enjoyed this book
Dec 04, 2012
Alan Ryker
added it
A really fun and thought-provoking read. These people know both their philosophy (as expected) and their comic books (did not expect that). my only complaint is that it focuses too much on ethics at the expense of other philosophical topics.
This book is great! I am not a huge comic book fan, but the analogies used here put some of the more complicated questions of philosophy into a context that makes them easier to understand. I admit, I am a bit out of practice when it comes to philosophical thought, so this book was the perfect reintroduction for me.
Enjoying this book so far, having explored the philosophical areas concerning Superman, The Green Lantern, Odin and Thor, and Captain America, with several others still to come. Covering philosophical areas such as justice and punishment, mercy, virtue of modesty, Aristotle's account for emotions, and Superman as an American Icon.
Jan 27, 2013
Darrin Niday
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
superheroes,
philosophy
Wasn't sure what to expect, while not a philosophy student I got quite a bit out of it. I did enjoy this book though I don't agree with everything quoted, but any comic book and philosophy fan will really enjoy it.
I don't know much about superheroes or philosophy but I found this a light and fun educational read. The tone is casual and friendly, which is exactly what I hoped for from a book on this topic.
Interesting approach to introducing philosophical concepts but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wasn't already familiar with the superheroes of the Marvel and DC worlds...
An interesting read looking at the often tormented lives of superheroes and how they can help illuminate some of the questions in our own lives.
One word: deep. A philosophy book that won't put you to sleep thanks to generous helpings of pop culture! A quick read. Downloaded it for FREE on iBooks.
A fun read using superheroes to examine our values and the meaning of life.
A nice collection of essays covering a wide variety of topics in philosophy as they relate to superheroes.
An interesting book that makes philosophy more interesting. I've heard the term Stoics before but never cared until now. Kant, restributivism, personal identity, killing the Joker. Good stuff. I'm going to get a few of the other books now.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Captain America's Modesty | 1 | 5 | Nov 29, 2012 09:32am |
- B.A. in philosophy, Summa Cum Laude, Fordham University, 1992. Full Presidential Scholarship.
- Dissertation "Harmonizing Hermeneutics: The Normative and Descriptive Approaches, Interpretation and Criticism," Buffalo, 1996, 226 pp. Awarded the Perry Prize for Outstanding Dissertations in Philosophy.
- Ph.D. in philosophy, The State University of New York at Buffalo, June 1, 1996. Presidential Fell...more
More about William Irwin...
- Dissertation "Harmonizing Hermeneutics: The Normative and Descriptive Approaches, Interpretation and Criticism," Buffalo, 1996, 226 pp. Awarded the Perry Prize for Outstanding Dissertations in Philosophy.
- Ph.D. in philosophy, The State University of New York at Buffalo, June 1, 1996. Presidential Fell...more
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