Superheroes Quotes

“justice hath no meaning lest it be tempered with mercy.”26”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Luckily, literature—and by “literature” I mean comic books—provides us a way to discuss issues like these without having to experience them. We don’t have to trick people into standing in front of a runaway trolley, and we don’t have to have a real-life Batman and Joker. That’s what thought experiments are for—they let us play through an imaginary scenario and imagine what we should or shouldn’t do.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“two of the most fascinating yet troublesome topics in moral philosophy—forgiveness and redemption—issues that must be dealt with together. Without forgiveness there can be no redemption, and forgiveness that does not grant redemption is hollow.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Usually we think a person is obligated to do something that would benefit many people, but what if that “something” is committing murder? Which is more important, doing good—or not doing wrong?”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Superman’s cosmopolitan decision could be interpreted simply as DC Comics attempting to appeal to the global market for Superman stuff. Less cynically, though, one blogger said, “It’s refreshing to see an alien refugee tell the United States that it’s as important to him as any other country on Earth—which, in turn, is as important to Superman as any other planet in the multiverse.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Kant stated simply enough, “[Punishment] must always be inflicted upon [the criminal] only because he has committed a crime.”7 Punishment shouldn’t be meted out for the criminal’s own good, for example, for reformation or rehabilitation. This would be treating him like an animal, like a dog. Also, punishment shouldn’t be handed out for the good of society, such as for security, deterrence, or crime prevention or any other desirable end. The criminal shouldn’t be treated as a mere means; we shouldn’t use people for society’s ends, “for a human being can never be treated merely as a means to the purposes of another.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Atrocitus: You believe fear to be the most powerful force in the universe? Fear is inaction. Fear is hiding away. Fear is cowering and begging. Rage is action. Rage is spilling blood. Sinestro: Rage is uncontrollable.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“a famous quote by Nietzsche, “Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Rorschach did not seek death; he didn’t commit suicide by Manhattan. But he understood what the others did not. “It is better to sacrifice life than to forfeit morality. It is not necessary to live, but it is necessary that, so long as we live, we do so honourably.”18”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“Honor Is Like the Hawk . . . For my own part, regret nothing. Have lived life, free from compromise . . . and step into the shadow now without complaint. —Rorschach’s journal,”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“when I see an author on this week’s talk show promoting his Secret to Happiness, I can’t help wondering what happened to last week’s Secret on the same show.”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“As Rorschach so poetically put it, “This rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not god who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us.”12”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture

“People who fight for a country just because they are paid to do so are mercenaries, and they have no problem switching sides if it serves their interests (Lex Luthor is a classic example).”
― William Irwin, Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture