Batman and Philosophy

The Dark Knight of the Soul

eBook

English language

Published Jan. 9, 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd..

ISBN:
978-0-470-53277-5
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(1 review)

Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Can we hold the Joker morally responsible for his actions? Is Batman better than Superman? If everyone followed Batman's example, would Gotham be a better place? What is the Tao of the Bat? Batman is one of the most complex characters ever to appear in comic books, graphic novels, and on the big screen. What philosophical trials does this superhero confront in order to keep Gotham safe? Combing through seventy years of comic books, television shows, and movies, Batman and Philosophy explores how the Dark Knight grapples with ethical conundrums, moral responsibility, his identity crisis, the moral weight he carries to avenge his murdered parents, and much more. How does this caped crusader measure up against the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Kierkegaard, and Lao Tzu?

1 edition

Excessively dull.

This book is unnecessarily dull, especially when the content could be interesting. It's as if it was written backwards, where someone wrote a philosophy book and threw in Batman so they could make some sales instead of writing about Batman via philosophy.

There's also a lot of weird structure that I find confusing, and it shows an immense lack of consideration for Batman's position in his own society. It takes for granted that he should use his vast resources to crime-fight as Batman. There is no questioning about anything, with regards to Batman and its large world, that could be done differently. It's just assumed that, because it is this way, it should remain this way, and that is the lens through which we will "do philosophy."

This makes it infuriating; it's unquestioning and tries to force an opinion that is believed superior (while other viewpoints are seen to be …