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Batman and Ethics
Batman has been one of the world's most beloved superheroes since his first appearance in issue #27 of Detective Comics in 1939. Clad in his dark cowl and cape, he has captured the imagination of thousands of fans with his acrobatic fighting skills, high-tech crimefighting gadgets, and swift but often violent brand of justice. But why has he enjoyed such long-lived popularity as a character? And why have his actions caused debate among fans and philosophers?
Based on four decades of comic book storylines, Batman and Ethics explores the concepts and contradictions of the ethical and moral code of the Dark Knight. From the logic behind his aversion to killing, to the implication of his use of torture, to the moral status of vigilantism in the pursuit of justice, Batman's ethical precepts are both compelling and deeply flawed. Starting with the character-defining work of Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in the early 1970s, through the revolutionary era of the reimagined superhero comic in the 1980s and 1990s, to the new directions in the modern works of Grant Morrison, Ed Brubaker, Scott McDaniel, and ending with the release of the New 52, Batman and Ethics explores the developments of Batman's most troubling ethical dilemmas. It is a thought-provoking and entertaining journey through four decades of Batman's struggles and triumphs - a perfect way for readers to approach the complex questions of ethics and moral philosophy through one of the most popular canons in comic book history.
Based on four decades of comic book storylines, Batman and Ethics explores the concepts and contradictions of the ethical and moral code of the Dark Knight. From the logic behind his aversion to killing, to the implication of his use of torture, to the moral status of vigilantism in the pursuit of justice, Batman's ethical precepts are both compelling and deeply flawed. Starting with the character-defining work of Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in the early 1970s, through the revolutionary era of the reimagined superhero comic in the 1980s and 1990s, to the new directions in the modern works of Grant Morrison, Ed Brubaker, Scott McDaniel, and ending with the release of the New 52, Batman and Ethics explores the developments of Batman's most troubling ethical dilemmas. It is a thought-provoking and entertaining journey through four decades of Batman's struggles and triumphs - a perfect way for readers to approach the complex questions of ethics and moral philosophy through one of the most popular canons in comic book history.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2020
Overall, I quite enjoyed this book.
It is, at it's core, a discussion of ethics that just happens to use the Batman mythos as its source material. The author, a university professor, does a decent job of balancing academic rigor and a hardcore fan's love of Batman. He manages to be sympathetic to the character, without overlooking the many flaws. The style can be a bit dry at times (he is an academic!) but very readable overall.
Speaking as an older fan who has read Batman comics for many decades, the book gave me a greater appreciation for, and admiration of, the comic's many writers.
On the other hand, as much as I enjoy a good exploration of the dark side I sorely miss the days when Batman was called "the world's greatest detective". "Batman and Ethics" focuses on these dark explorations of soul, and in doing so made me think about larger issues.
The book has extensive notes for each chapter that include references to the source material (ie. the specific issue where a point of discussion was mentioned), an extensive list of references, a good index, and a list of the comic writers and artists.
It is, at it's core, a discussion of ethics that just happens to use the Batman mythos as its source material. The author, a university professor, does a decent job of balancing academic rigor and a hardcore fan's love of Batman. He manages to be sympathetic to the character, without overlooking the many flaws. The style can be a bit dry at times (he is an academic!) but very readable overall.
Speaking as an older fan who has read Batman comics for many decades, the book gave me a greater appreciation for, and admiration of, the comic's many writers.
On the other hand, as much as I enjoy a good exploration of the dark side I sorely miss the days when Batman was called "the world's greatest detective". "Batman and Ethics" focuses on these dark explorations of soul, and in doing so made me think about larger issues.
The book has extensive notes for each chapter that include references to the source material (ie. the specific issue where a point of discussion was mentioned), an extensive list of references, a good index, and a list of the comic writers and artists.
February 2, 2024
A really interesting collection of essays and a great introduction to moral ethics in all fairness
August 31, 2020
The ethical implications of Batman are fascinating to me. And I think White is the guy to talk to on this topic. Unfortunately, what I imagine would be a fascinating discussion over beers has been turned into an unfocused, overly detailed book. I wanted to understand what these characters and choices represent in our own world and context. Instead, “Batman and Ethics” quotes from the comics at length - sometimes using the same quote multiple times across chapters - to make rudimentary points about Batman’s ethical history and moral code. The quotes themselves are not always as enlightening as you would hope, and the forty year period of comics he assesses are treated as one consistent character and biography (ignoring multiple authors, storyline inconsistencies, and the effect of the movies on Batman’s character).
But “Batman and Ethics” does serve as a great first-year introduction to broad ethical ideas in philosophy, like “the trolley problem” and utilitarianism. The book might serve better as a way to recruit comic fans into philosophy - but it does not use the construct of Batman’s character to ask important moral questions for our times.
But “Batman and Ethics” does serve as a great first-year introduction to broad ethical ideas in philosophy, like “the trolley problem” and utilitarianism. The book might serve better as a way to recruit comic fans into philosophy - but it does not use the construct of Batman’s character to ask important moral questions for our times.
April 25, 2020
It provided a fair analysis of Batman's morality and ethics, focusing mostly on utilitarianism and Deontological ethics. My main issue is with the goal of the book itself. It points out a bunch of contradictions in Batman's personal moral code, but doesn't really explore much beyond that. Okay, so Batman's a hypocrite... so what? He also uses a lot of the same examples to prove his point. Pair the fact that there are plenty of spelling errors in this book with its overall lack of direction, and it results in a pretty mediocre read.
August 10, 2023
Good intro for those inexperienced with philosophical ethics via Batman, but fairly repetitive with the quotes and characters used for examples. Also misses out on the ethics from movies and TV series which would have added good depth
June 30, 2024
(25 March, 2021)
White highlights Batman's inconsistent behaviour with his own belief system and argues the point somewhat successfully. This, he points out, makes the Dark Knight more appealing to comic book readers - well, of course it does. Bruce Wayne has many, many things going for him, having him be less perfect makes him more likeable and almost tangibly real. Batman could exist.
The author is inconsistent on his take of Batman's views and tactics and I don't agree with a few of his points (exempli gratia perceiving Batman's enjoyment of physical violence negatively instead of acknowledging Bruce's honesty with himself). Batman never labels his stance on any particular subject as 'utilitarian' or as 'deontological' and, although White accepts most people can freely move from one to the other, he sees Batman's shifting ideology as problematic. Ummmmmmm...
All in all, well researched, well argued, with numerous examples taken directly from the comic books and easy (and fun!) to read. I kept the rating at 3 stars but will admit this is slightly better than my usual 3 star '... And Philosophy' books.
White highlights Batman's inconsistent behaviour with his own belief system and argues the point somewhat successfully. This, he points out, makes the Dark Knight more appealing to comic book readers - well, of course it does. Bruce Wayne has many, many things going for him, having him be less perfect makes him more likeable and almost tangibly real. Batman could exist.
The author is inconsistent on his take of Batman's views and tactics and I don't agree with a few of his points (exempli gratia perceiving Batman's enjoyment of physical violence negatively instead of acknowledging Bruce's honesty with himself). Batman never labels his stance on any particular subject as 'utilitarian' or as 'deontological' and, although White accepts most people can freely move from one to the other, he sees Batman's shifting ideology as problematic. Ummmmmmm...
All in all, well researched, well argued, with numerous examples taken directly from the comic books and easy (and fun!) to read. I kept the rating at 3 stars but will admit this is slightly better than my usual 3 star '... And Philosophy' books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews