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Iron Man and Philosophy

Toby — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:44:12 +0000

Can Iron Man’s armor actually think?

Is Tony Stark’s intelligence the greatest source of Iron Man’s power?

Can Iron Man be both a superhero and the corporate property of Stark Industries?

Does the Iron Man technology point the way to a brighter future or a darkening horizon?

Can Tony Stark be a genuine superhero and a hard-drinking womanizer?

On the surface, Iron Man appears to be a straightforward superhero, another rich guy fighting crime with fancy gadgets. But beneath the shiny armor and flashy technology lies Tony Stark, brilliant inventor and eccentric playboy, struggling to balance his desires, addictions, and relationships with his duties as the Armored Avenger. Iron Man and Philosophy explores the many philosophical issues that emerge from the essential conflicts found in the decades of Iron Man stories in comics and movies. What kind of moral compass does Tony Stark have? Is Iron Man responsible for the death of Captain America after the Marvel Universe “Civil War”? Should people like Stark run the world? How does Tony’s alcoholism impact his performance as Iron Man, and what does it say about moral character? Ultimately, what can Iron Man teach us about the role of technology in society?

Headline Here

Toby — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:55:25 +0000

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We Want to Hear From You!

Toby — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:34:38 +0000

Do you have a favorite TV show, comic book, graphic novel, movie, or videogame that you’re interested in reading about philosophically? Are you interested in learning about philosophy and hoping that Batman, Dr. Gregory House, Hiro Nakamura, Edward and Bella, and Rorschach can help you? Do you want to help us choose what the next book will be in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series? Let us know what you think by voting on the topics below. We’ll be changing the topics frequently, so be sure to stop by often to vote.

Would you like to propose an idea for a future volume in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series? If so please contact the Series Editor, William Irwin, at williamirwin@kings.edu.

The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series

Toby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:09:48 +0000

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, and a healthy helping of popular culture clears the cobwebs from Kant. Philosophy has had a public relations problem for a few centuries now. This series aims to change that, showing that philosophy is relevant to your life–and not just for answering the big questions like “To be or not to be?” but for answering the little questions: “To watch or not to watch House?” Thinking deeply about TV, movies, and music doesn’t make you a “complete idiot.” In fact it might make you a philosopher, someone who believes the unexamined life is not worth living and the unexamined cartoon is not worth watching.

Batman and Philosophy

Toby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:01 +0000

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?

Get the audiobook at Audible.com!