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Philosophy Smackdown
From its carnival origins to its current status as a global phenomenon, pro wrestling has a unique presence in popular culture. Part sport and part theatre, the impressive antics of its larger-than-life characters have captured the imaginations of generations of fans, and prompted endless speculation about behind-the-scenes machinations.
Philosophy Smackdown is a study of pro wrestling as distinctive as pro wrestling itself: it is the first philosophical look at this major cultural spectacle. Philosopher and fan Douglas Edwards takes both philosophy and pro wrestling to parts unknown. With liveliness, humor and insight, he shows that pro wrestling is fertile ground for reflection on fundamental human issues, such as reality, freedom, identity, morality, justice, and meaning. He explores these through pivotal events in pro wrestling, from the eighties heyday of Hulkamania to the recent emergence of AEW.
Philosophy Smackdown is a read that will delight philosophers and pro wrestling fans alike. It's time to ask yourself: Whatcha gonna do when Philosophy Smackdown runs wild on you?
Philosophy Smackdown is a study of pro wrestling as distinctive as pro wrestling itself: it is the first philosophical look at this major cultural spectacle. Philosopher and fan Douglas Edwards takes both philosophy and pro wrestling to parts unknown. With liveliness, humor and insight, he shows that pro wrestling is fertile ground for reflection on fundamental human issues, such as reality, freedom, identity, morality, justice, and meaning. He explores these through pivotal events in pro wrestling, from the eighties heyday of Hulkamania to the recent emergence of AEW.
Philosophy Smackdown is a read that will delight philosophers and pro wrestling fans alike. It's time to ask yourself: Whatcha gonna do when Philosophy Smackdown runs wild on you?
200 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2020
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Edwards
5 books3 followersDouglas Edwards is a Professor of Philosophy. His areas of interest include metaphysics, philosophy of language and metaethics.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2025
I find it to be quite peculiar how the connection between professional wrestling (PW) and
philosophy has been so seldomly drawn. Scholarship pertaining to PW has increased in recent years, though only one philosophical work has been written on PW thus far. This book, entitled "Philosophy Smackdown" by English philosopher Douglas Edwards, is a first of its kind, though it joins other works that have been given the label “pop” philosophy. Learning philosophy through popular culture has its setbacks, but there is great value in such endeavors, as the two can aid one another in profound ways.
Douglas Edwards teaches at Utica University in New York where he has written numerous philosophical works surrounding language, metaphysics, epistemology, and as of 2020, professional wrestling. Edwards describes how he fell in love with PW through the 80’s during the rise of Hulkamania and into the rebellious years that were the Attitude Era of the 90’s. Edwards left wrestling for philosophy after the WWE’s acquisition of WCW and ECW, mirroring a similar path of my own. Eventually he returned after all of the PW podcast he listened to, which ultimately culminated in the publication of this work. The book begins with an introduction, aptly named “pre show” before going into 6 different philosophical topics that are explored through PW. It eventually concludes with a “dark match” that details philosophy through the lens of PW. The book is structured like a PW card, which mirrors the way in which Edwards talks about some of the similarities in narrative structure between PW and Platonic dialogues. The book is super simple and allows a novice for philosophy or PW to enjoy and understand.
philosophy has been so seldomly drawn. Scholarship pertaining to PW has increased in recent years, though only one philosophical work has been written on PW thus far. This book, entitled "Philosophy Smackdown" by English philosopher Douglas Edwards, is a first of its kind, though it joins other works that have been given the label “pop” philosophy. Learning philosophy through popular culture has its setbacks, but there is great value in such endeavors, as the two can aid one another in profound ways.
Douglas Edwards teaches at Utica University in New York where he has written numerous philosophical works surrounding language, metaphysics, epistemology, and as of 2020, professional wrestling. Edwards describes how he fell in love with PW through the 80’s during the rise of Hulkamania and into the rebellious years that were the Attitude Era of the 90’s. Edwards left wrestling for philosophy after the WWE’s acquisition of WCW and ECW, mirroring a similar path of my own. Eventually he returned after all of the PW podcast he listened to, which ultimately culminated in the publication of this work. The book begins with an introduction, aptly named “pre show” before going into 6 different philosophical topics that are explored through PW. It eventually concludes with a “dark match” that details philosophy through the lens of PW. The book is structured like a PW card, which mirrors the way in which Edwards talks about some of the similarities in narrative structure between PW and Platonic dialogues. The book is super simple and allows a novice for philosophy or PW to enjoy and understand.
January 23, 2021
OK, the reason you will enjoy this book is that the author is a complete and total fanboy of wrestling - and if you thought of wrestling as a low-brow form of entertainment, keep in mind Professor Edwards is a philosopher who has published books like the Metaphysics of Truth. Because he is such a fan, we knows the artists we writes about -- their history, their ups and downs (no pun intended), and he connects their acts to philosophical constructs. You will be entertained and schooled on philosophy at the same time. Very cool.
July 19, 2021
pretty fun! i'm not familiar with WWE and pro wrestling, but i can say that this lead me to some Perfect, Excellent clip shows.
October 9, 2022
This book ought to be read by every philosopher and every wrestling fan, and most definitely by every philosopher who is also a wrestling fan!
August 31, 2021
3.5/5
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews