Superhero Thought Experiments: Comic Book Philosophy
by Chris Gavaler and Nathaniel Goldberg
University of Iowa Press, 2019 eISBN: 978-1-60938-656-6 | Paper: 978-1-60938-655-9 Library of Congress Classification PN6714 Dewey Decimal Classification 741.59
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Examining the deep philosophical topics addressed in superhero comics, authors Gavaler and Goldberg read plot lines for the complex thought experiments they contain and analyze their implications as if the comic authors were philosophers. Reading superhero comic books through a philosophical lens reveals how they experiment with complex issues of morality, metaphysics, meaning, and medium. Given comics’ ubiquity and influence directly on (especially young) readers—and indirectly on consumers of superhero movies and video games—understanding these deeper meanings is in many ways essential to understanding contemporary popular culture. The result is an entertaining and enlightening look at superhero dilemmas.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Chris Gavaler is associate professor of English at Washington and Lee University. He is author of On the Origin of Superheroes: From
the Big Bang to Action Comics No. 1 and comics editor of Shenandoah.
Nathaniel Goldberg is professor of philosophy at Washington and Lee University. He is author of Kantian Conceptual Geography.
REVIEWS
“Truly amazing! In a titanic team-up, Gavaler and Goldberg provide a secret origin for superhero fans and philosophers of the
future (who may be the same people). Superhero fans will find they’ve transformed, changed into philosophizers who understand something deeper about the world. And philosophers will look back on Superhero Thought Experiments and see the laboratory where they gained their mental powers.”—Peter M. Coogan, author, Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre
— Peter M. Coogan
“Superhero Thought Experiments presents a novel perspective on both comics and philosophy, arguing that superhero comics
provide a rich source of philosophical thought experiments. Gavaler and Goldberg’s book should be required reading both for philosophers and for fans of comics interested in how philosophy is done.”—Roy T. Cook, author, The Art of Comics: A Philosophical Approach
— Roy T. Cook
“From the earliest issues of the original Superman and Batman adventures, the writers of superhero comics have been doing philosophy. This great new book makes it clear how superheroes can help us think about some of the most important ideas we’ll ever confront. We adults ignore comics to our own intellectual peril. The artwork is amazing, but so are the thought
experiments. So, put on your cape and take off! It’s time for Truth, Justice, and the Philosophical Way!”—Tom Morris, author, Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way
— Tom Morris
“Comics can teach you about philosophy, and philosophy will help you understand comics. What is right and wrong? What is the nature of the self? Is time really real? Superhero comics deal seriously with these classic philosophical issues.”—David Carrier, author, Aesthetics of the Margins/The Margins of Aesthetics: Wild Art Explained
— David Carrier
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Morality
One. Superconsequences vs. Dark Duties
Two. What Good Are Superheroes?
Part II: Metaphysics
Three. Evil Geniuses
Four. Clobberin' Time
Part III: Meaning
Five. Referential Retcons vs. Descriptivist Reboots
Six. Minding the Swamp
Part IV: Medium
Seven. Caped Communicators
Eight. True Believers
Conclusion. "Comico, ergo sum!"
Works Cited
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
Superhero Thought Experiments: Comic Book Philosophy
by Chris Gavaler and Nathaniel Goldberg
University of Iowa Press, 2019 eISBN: 978-1-60938-656-6 Paper: 978-1-60938-655-9
Examining the deep philosophical topics addressed in superhero comics, authors Gavaler and Goldberg read plot lines for the complex thought experiments they contain and analyze their implications as if the comic authors were philosophers. Reading superhero comic books through a philosophical lens reveals how they experiment with complex issues of morality, metaphysics, meaning, and medium. Given comics’ ubiquity and influence directly on (especially young) readers—and indirectly on consumers of superhero movies and video games—understanding these deeper meanings is in many ways essential to understanding contemporary popular culture. The result is an entertaining and enlightening look at superhero dilemmas.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Chris Gavaler is associate professor of English at Washington and Lee University. He is author of On the Origin of Superheroes: From
the Big Bang to Action Comics No. 1 and comics editor of Shenandoah.
Nathaniel Goldberg is professor of philosophy at Washington and Lee University. He is author of Kantian Conceptual Geography.
REVIEWS
“Truly amazing! In a titanic team-up, Gavaler and Goldberg provide a secret origin for superhero fans and philosophers of the
future (who may be the same people). Superhero fans will find they’ve transformed, changed into philosophizers who understand something deeper about the world. And philosophers will look back on Superhero Thought Experiments and see the laboratory where they gained their mental powers.”—Peter M. Coogan, author, Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre
— Peter M. Coogan
“Superhero Thought Experiments presents a novel perspective on both comics and philosophy, arguing that superhero comics
provide a rich source of philosophical thought experiments. Gavaler and Goldberg’s book should be required reading both for philosophers and for fans of comics interested in how philosophy is done.”—Roy T. Cook, author, The Art of Comics: A Philosophical Approach
— Roy T. Cook
“From the earliest issues of the original Superman and Batman adventures, the writers of superhero comics have been doing philosophy. This great new book makes it clear how superheroes can help us think about some of the most important ideas we’ll ever confront. We adults ignore comics to our own intellectual peril. The artwork is amazing, but so are the thought
experiments. So, put on your cape and take off! It’s time for Truth, Justice, and the Philosophical Way!”—Tom Morris, author, Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way
— Tom Morris
“Comics can teach you about philosophy, and philosophy will help you understand comics. What is right and wrong? What is the nature of the self? Is time really real? Superhero comics deal seriously with these classic philosophical issues.”—David Carrier, author, Aesthetics of the Margins/The Margins of Aesthetics: Wild Art Explained
— David Carrier
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Morality
One. Superconsequences vs. Dark Duties
Two. What Good Are Superheroes?
Part II: Metaphysics
Three. Evil Geniuses
Four. Clobberin' Time
Part III: Meaning
Five. Referential Retcons vs. Descriptivist Reboots
Six. Minding the Swamp
Part IV: Medium
Seven. Caped Communicators
Eight. True Believers
Conclusion. "Comico, ergo sum!"
Works Cited
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
It can take 2-3 weeks for requests to be filled.
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE