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William Irwin: Batman and Philosophy (2009, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Can we hold the …

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 inferior).

In short: It's a good example of philosophical wankery.