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Popular Culture and Philosophy #88
Justified and Philosophy: Shoot First, Think Later
The sharp-shooting authors in Justified and Philosophy take aim at many of the same philosophical problems that the Justified TV series grapples with. For instance, is Tim Olyphant's character, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, morally justified in using his Wild-Wild-West-style vigilante tactics to clean up Harlan County, Kentucky? After all, the meth dealers, thieves, murderers, and other low-life scumbags all deserve what's coming to them, right? Not so fast, Quick-Draw McGraw! What about the law? What about a thorough and complete investigation of matters before dispensing so-called "justice"? What about the idea of the punishment fitting the crime?
Deputy Marshal Givens wears a white hat and fights the "bad guys" so he must be a "good guy," right? His opponents are violent drug dealers, white supremacists, and thieves. Givens carries a badge, but when he shoots or kills people, is it always justified? What other choice does he have? Would any other method be as effective in rural eastern Kentucky where criminal activity is one of the few viable options for making a living?
The coal-mining culture of Harlan County, Kentucky is an important backdrop to Justified, and the issues surrounding the coal industry are addressed in some chapters. Some of them include health problems like black lung, the dissolution of communities, the reduction in employment alternatives, the destruction of the environment with mountain-top removal and fracking, and the increase in crime and poverty. If Boyd Crowder robs the coal company responsible for exploiting his community, is that justified?
The relationship between Boyd and Raylan dates back to a childhood friendship. Then when they older, they worked in the mines together. One chapter explores the character and motivation of both men and argues that each follows a different moral compass. Another chapter discusses the importance of family to the character of Mags Bennett and how that guides her actions and sense of duty. Another topic of discussion is whether the end justifies the means when Boyd and his gang destroy a meth lab and end up killing one of the meth cookers.
Other chapters delve into a variety of fascinating philosophical themes that emerge in this modern-day cowboy show.
Deputy Marshal Givens wears a white hat and fights the "bad guys" so he must be a "good guy," right? His opponents are violent drug dealers, white supremacists, and thieves. Givens carries a badge, but when he shoots or kills people, is it always justified? What other choice does he have? Would any other method be as effective in rural eastern Kentucky where criminal activity is one of the few viable options for making a living?
The coal-mining culture of Harlan County, Kentucky is an important backdrop to Justified, and the issues surrounding the coal industry are addressed in some chapters. Some of them include health problems like black lung, the dissolution of communities, the reduction in employment alternatives, the destruction of the environment with mountain-top removal and fracking, and the increase in crime and poverty. If Boyd Crowder robs the coal company responsible for exploiting his community, is that justified?
The relationship between Boyd and Raylan dates back to a childhood friendship. Then when they older, they worked in the mines together. One chapter explores the character and motivation of both men and argues that each follows a different moral compass. Another chapter discusses the importance of family to the character of Mags Bennett and how that guides her actions and sense of duty. Another topic of discussion is whether the end justifies the means when Boyd and his gang destroy a meth lab and end up killing one of the meth cookers.
Other chapters delve into a variety of fascinating philosophical themes that emerge in this modern-day cowboy show.
- GenresPhilosophyPop Culture
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2014
4 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 14, 2016
This is another installment of the Blackwell Pop Culture and Philosophy series, this one examining the television show “Justified”. I felt that this was a strong compilation of essays. I personally preferred the essays that were more philosophy heavy and generally disliked the ones about social justice and those dealing with grading the series based on its portrayal of either women or minorities.
I think what I look for in reading these books is a deeper knowledge of the material, up to and including the broad themes.
Essays I Thought Were Really Good: “Always Know Your ABC’s (Always Be Cool)” by Jon Cotton, “Was Boyd Really Born Again?” by Michael D. Jaworski, “The Ethical Theories of Raylan and Boyd” by Gerald Browning, “Failed Patriarchs” by Paul Zinder, “Raylan Learns to Restrain Himself” by Nathan Verbaan and Adam Barkman.
I think what I look for in reading these books is a deeper knowledge of the material, up to and including the broad themes.
Essays I Thought Were Really Good: “Always Know Your ABC’s (Always Be Cool)” by Jon Cotton, “Was Boyd Really Born Again?” by Michael D. Jaworski, “The Ethical Theories of Raylan and Boyd” by Gerald Browning, “Failed Patriarchs” by Paul Zinder, “Raylan Learns to Restrain Himself” by Nathan Verbaan and Adam Barkman.
March 25, 2015
“We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” ~G.K. Chesterton
Feuds in history are many. Fought over land, titles, power, fences, cows, love, but mostly, because whether you were a: Hatfield, McCoy, Boyce, Sneed, Taira, Minamoto, Donnelly, Farrell, Percy, Neville, Crowe, Crowder or Givens – real or imaginary, they were all able to justify their actions.
One thing they all had in common? Patriarchal violence toward women.
Today’s Google graphic is dedicated to Emily Noether, a brilliant mathematician Albert Einstein praised as a “…most significant creative mathematical genius…”. Her indomitable spirit and astonishing mind were a gift to the world, yet because she was a woman she fought to be educated and to work in her field. 133 years after her birth, women are still struggling for equality, recognition, and respect, for who they are and can be. State, obstetric, domestic, financial, physical, emotional, societal – any type of violence holds them back and keeps them from being all they can be – it’s unacceptable.
We need to believe the law is moral, even when we know it’s too often perverted, abused, and manipulated, whether for personal gain, power, or even for the greater good. Legal doesn’t equal moral and vice versa. The law is an evolving process. Slavery was once legal. As was wife-beating and raping. Child labour. Apartheid.
Did that make them right?
At times, I’m sorry I started watching Justified. In some way, I’m glad it’s almost over. Despite Timothy Olyphant (the main reason I started watching it), it’s ugliness often makes me feel uncomfortable.
The characters justify all manner of vile actions.
The philosophy behind justification, especially in this series is disturbing and moreover, disturbingly familiar.
We’ve heard it from politicians. Religious figures. Abusers. Tyrants. Dictators.
People get what they deserve, one way or another.
So it’s said.
Justified and Philosophy: Shoot First, Think Later edited by Rod Carveth and Robert Arp (Open Court) echoed many of the reasons I’ve felt uneasy with this series. For example, choices offered as a way to justify actions. As though offering someone a choice somehow excuses anything you do afterwards.
These philosophers do a fantastic job breaking down the popular Western FX series (based on Elmore Leonard’s Pronto, Riding the Rap, and Fire in the Hole), offering pragmatic analysis of the good, the bad, and the brutal.
Have you ever justified something that you knew to be wrong?
Did you ever feel like you did what you had to do?
History shaped
Hands rocking cradles
Hands in fists
Justifying
whatever we want
with duty
religion
beliefs
needs
wants
Right
Wrong
Lines drawn
Lines crossed
Do first
think later.
We are
within our rights
Normalize
Look life in the eye
Justify
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/03/23/l...
Feuds in history are many. Fought over land, titles, power, fences, cows, love, but mostly, because whether you were a: Hatfield, McCoy, Boyce, Sneed, Taira, Minamoto, Donnelly, Farrell, Percy, Neville, Crowe, Crowder or Givens – real or imaginary, they were all able to justify their actions.
One thing they all had in common? Patriarchal violence toward women.
Today’s Google graphic is dedicated to Emily Noether, a brilliant mathematician Albert Einstein praised as a “…most significant creative mathematical genius…”. Her indomitable spirit and astonishing mind were a gift to the world, yet because she was a woman she fought to be educated and to work in her field. 133 years after her birth, women are still struggling for equality, recognition, and respect, for who they are and can be. State, obstetric, domestic, financial, physical, emotional, societal – any type of violence holds them back and keeps them from being all they can be – it’s unacceptable.
We need to believe the law is moral, even when we know it’s too often perverted, abused, and manipulated, whether for personal gain, power, or even for the greater good. Legal doesn’t equal moral and vice versa. The law is an evolving process. Slavery was once legal. As was wife-beating and raping. Child labour. Apartheid.
Did that make them right?
At times, I’m sorry I started watching Justified. In some way, I’m glad it’s almost over. Despite Timothy Olyphant (the main reason I started watching it), it’s ugliness often makes me feel uncomfortable.
The characters justify all manner of vile actions.
The philosophy behind justification, especially in this series is disturbing and moreover, disturbingly familiar.
We’ve heard it from politicians. Religious figures. Abusers. Tyrants. Dictators.
People get what they deserve, one way or another.
So it’s said.
Justified and Philosophy: Shoot First, Think Later edited by Rod Carveth and Robert Arp (Open Court) echoed many of the reasons I’ve felt uneasy with this series. For example, choices offered as a way to justify actions. As though offering someone a choice somehow excuses anything you do afterwards.
These philosophers do a fantastic job breaking down the popular Western FX series (based on Elmore Leonard’s Pronto, Riding the Rap, and Fire in the Hole), offering pragmatic analysis of the good, the bad, and the brutal.
Have you ever justified something that you knew to be wrong?
Did you ever feel like you did what you had to do?
History shaped
Hands rocking cradles
Hands in fists
Justifying
whatever we want
with duty
religion
beliefs
needs
wants
Right
Wrong
Lines drawn
Lines crossed
Do first
think later.
We are
within our rights
Normalize
Look life in the eye
Justify
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/03/23/l...
March 14, 2024
My copy of this book had numerous spelling and punctuation errors, as well as a portion in which Walton Goggins was called Walter Goggins. Grammatical mistakes aside, I was disappointed with this book. So many different storylines and members of families in Harlan to choose from, yet the essays mostly used the same 5 storylines. And no essay on Tim Gutterson? Sacrilege.
June 25, 2021
As a huge fan of the show, I felt they could have explored some of the other storylines instead of seeming to stick to the same 6 or so, but the varied opinions and discussions still kept things interesting and moving along.
November 10, 2023
A great book that helps you understand the characters on the TV show and why they do the things they do, interesting!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews