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Popular Culture and Philosophy #100
Batman, Superman, and Philosophy: Badass or Boyscout?
Batman or Superman? Which of these heroic figures is morally superior? Which is more dramatically effective? Which is more democratic? Which shows us the better way to fight crime?
In Superman vs. Batman and Philosophy, 26 philosophers evaluate Superman vs. Batman in order to decide which of them “wins” by various criteria.
Since both Batman, the megalomaniacal industrialist, and Superman, the darling of the media, sometimes operate outside the law, which of them makes the better vigilante — and how do they compare with Robin Hood, the anonymous donor, the Ninja, and the KKK? Which of them comes out better in terms of evolutionary biology? Which of the heroes works more effectively to resist oppression? Which one is better for the environment? Which of these two makes a better model and inspiring myth to define our culture and society?
Is Batman or Superman the more admirable person? Who conforms more closely to Nietzsche’s Übermensch? Who makes the better god? Who is more self-sacrificing? Whose explicit code of morality is superior? Which superhero gives us more satisfying dramatic conflict? And why does a battle between the two make such a compelling drama?
In Superman vs. Batman and Philosophy, 26 philosophers evaluate Superman vs. Batman in order to decide which of them “wins” by various criteria.
Since both Batman, the megalomaniacal industrialist, and Superman, the darling of the media, sometimes operate outside the law, which of them makes the better vigilante — and how do they compare with Robin Hood, the anonymous donor, the Ninja, and the KKK? Which of them comes out better in terms of evolutionary biology? Which of the heroes works more effectively to resist oppression? Which one is better for the environment? Which of these two makes a better model and inspiring myth to define our culture and society?
Is Batman or Superman the more admirable person? Who conforms more closely to Nietzsche’s Übermensch? Who makes the better god? Who is more self-sacrificing? Whose explicit code of morality is superior? Which superhero gives us more satisfying dramatic conflict? And why does a battle between the two make such a compelling drama?
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
5 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2020
I really fully and truly enjoyed this book! I thought most of the essays were delightful and loved the super in-depth analysis of Batman's character. I wasn't a huge fan of the roleplay essays and mostly skipped over them, but the rest of them were tremendous and all in good fun. An excellent read overall and perfect to skim before bed time each night.
October 11, 2022
Skimmed.
October 18, 2023
Same as the other, also good for a school book
December 31, 2018
I found myself fairly disappointed in the lack of professional writing. It's hard to take the authors seriously when the essay is laced with profanity, and the writing casual. It felt more like reading an intelligent internet post instead of a professional philosophical essay.
There were essays though that I greatly enjoyed and pondered for many days afterwards. So there are some diamonds in this rough, if you wish to take the time to find them.
There were essays though that I greatly enjoyed and pondered for many days afterwards. So there are some diamonds in this rough, if you wish to take the time to find them.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews