Superheroes

By William Irwin

Superheroes - William Irwin
  • Release Date: 2011-06-24
  • Genre: Philosophy
Score: 3.5
3.5
From 352 Ratings

Description

Explore the philosophical depths of Batman, Superman, Captain America, and your other favorite superheroes!
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 everyone's misery? Does Peter Parker have a good life? What can Iron Man teach us about the role of technology in society? Bringing together key chapters from books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, this superhero sampler engages the intellectual might of big thinkers like Aristotle and Kant to answer these questions and many others, giving you new insights on everything from whether Superman is truly an American icon to whether Wolverine is the same person when he loses his memory.
Features exclusive bonus content: all-new chapters on Captain America and ThorGives you a sneak peek at upcoming books: Avengers and Philosophy, Spider-Man and Philosophy, and Superman and PhilosophyIncludes superheroes from both the DC and Marvel universes: the Avengers, Batman, Captain America, Green Lantern, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Superman, Thor, Watchmen, and the X-MenGives you a perfect introduction to the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series (learn more at www.andphilosophy.com)!
Whether you're looking for answers or looking for fun, this classic compilation will save the day by helping you gain a deeper appreciation of your favorite comics with an introduction to basic philosophical principles.

Reviews

  • Fun book

    5
    By 3kyn
    Fun book, good starter into philosophical concepts.
  • Great read

    5
    By Shazaam355345
    Great read, totally worth the time to read, which goes by quick with conversational fast-paced writing. Can't wait to read more.
  • GREAT BOOK!!!

    5
    By AwesomeFish445
    This book was amazing!! 5 stars perfect
  • Quite interesting.

    5
    By Krisa
    I do not read comic book (graphic novels - whatever) but still this was an intriguing book. I never cared for philosophy in college but the ideas make more sense when put in a pop culture context (my favorite: "Why Doesn't Batman Just Kill the Joker?" A question I have frequently asked myself.) I definitely want to check out other books in the series.
  • Superb read!

    5
    By rah55
    As a 62 year old, long-retired comic book reader, this book was an excellent re-entry into comics, here seen through the lens of no longer inaccessible philosophy. The writers obviously know their stuff and make the reader comfortable in pondering Kant as well as tough questions, like why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and make society safer? Enlightening and fun, this book will appeal to many people.
  • Comics can do more than entertain

    3
    By Princess Fuzzynuts
    I've never been a reader of comic books - I don't say that to distance myself from those who do but to put my thoughts into perspective - but I've always enjoyed the "escape" of watching them come to life on the silver screen. With that said, though, I believe this book does a good job in demonstrating the thought and the intelligence behind the creation and writing of these worlds/universes and their stories. Regardless of whether the protagonist wears a grey flannel suit or one made of bullet-proof alloy, insights into human nature are not confined to non-fiction or fiction that is dressed up to look like a mirror on reality. In fact, by employing fantasy, these authors have the ability to point out our foibles and weaknesses in ways that aren't always possible when trying to stay "true to life." This book was well worth reading. It allowed me to reflect on human nature at a remove.
  • Wow

    3
    By crawdiddy01
    It was really good! I was shocked! Im glad there were so many references to the comic books and almost none to the movies!
  • 5 stars!

    5
    By Aeixx
    A very interesting read! Comic book geek or not
  • Best ever

    5
    By Bloom5248
    This will be the best book I ever had.
  • Great book

    5
    By Jason Thorne
    Good read!!!!