o                 

The Philosopher Café Meeting Agenda

September 13, 2006

 

I.                   Book/Media Discussion – 6:05 – 6:10

o      Superheroes and Philosophy:  Truth, Justice and the Socratic Way, Tom Morris (editor), Matt Morris (editor)

What could be better than thinking about superheroes and philosophy?  This book brings them both together in an engaging manner that shows just how philosophical superheroes really are.

 

II.                 Introduction – Theme is Superheroes and Philosophy  6:10 – 6:15 PM

 

III.               Discussion Question:  Who is the greatest superhero and why? 6:15 – 7:15 PM

 

IV.              Philosophical Perspectives

 

From Odysseus to Batman, Superheroes as a reflection of our society

 

§        Ancient heroes reflected the values of the society.  Odysseus was clever and this was emphasized over his strength.  Honor was a central theme.  The gods could not be trusted.

§        King Arthur and Lancelot offer a different view of virtue.

§        Superman presented an optimistic, early 20^th century view of the American ideals.

§         Superman: The Movie – Strained to carry this theme forward.  Open smoking in the workplace and PC seems absent.

§        Superman Returns:  He is no longer a boy scout.  He left earth for ten years without warning, jilting Lois Lane.  On return, he tries to steal Lois from her live in boy friend who has apparently fathered a child with her.  Even Superman is less virtuous. Terrorism is emphasized.  Pessimism comes through and a sense of political correctness too. 

 

Comic Book Writer as Philosopher

 

The writer chooses what happens to the character so he makes his case for why the moral choices are the correct one.  A moral philosophy is at the heart of any superhero.  Consider:

 

-         Spiderman, why does the use of his power backfire?  Is that likely? What if they helped him personally?

-         Spiderman 2 Movie:  With no powers, Peter Parker saves a baby from

-       Superman, sent by his father to help the human race along.  Why is superman’s life planned for him?  Why are his interests irrelevant?

-      In Batman Beyond, a fairly new TV animated series; Batman is shown as a lonely old man.  The message seems to be that he should not have done what he did with his life. 

-      Danny Phantom:  Ghost abilities with no sense of direction.

-       Mocking superheroes: The Crimson Chin, Ultra Lord, and The Tick.

   

Superheroes as Philosophers

 

Spider (Kant and Kierkegaard)

-         “With great power comes great responsibility.” (Kantian ethics)

-         Guilt and suffering (Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling, Sickness Unto Death)

-          “No matter how much you try to help them, they will hate you in the end.“

§         The Green Goblin to Spiderman

 

-         “You, me, we are superior.  We should stand on the shoulders of the masses.”

§         The Green Goblin to Spiderman

§        Nietzsche – Will to Power, The superman

-  Why did these powers backfire?

 

 Batman (Rand - Objectivism)

-         Choosing to fight against villains because he does not want to live in a world ruled by them. – Rational Self Interest

-         Deals with villains with little respect for their natural rights.

§        They are irrational; they forfeit natural rights because they do not recognize them.

-         Wins by use of reason.  Always adheres to the facts. Raises himself to abilities of a    superhero by the use of his mind.

-         Reality exists

-         Reason is the prime means of survival

 

Wonder Woman (The Feminist Perspective)

 

Bryan’s ending comments:

 

Other questions to consider:

 

Why should a superhero be moral?

 

If you are invincible, you are taking no chances when you save the day.  Are you real a hero when you were safe all along?

 

Do superheroes exemplify moral virtue?  If so, what virtues does each superhero exemplify? What about when superheroes demonstrate different ethics, who is right?

 

Why should a superhero, or anyone else, sacrifice their interests to benefit society?  Can this actually lead to lethargy on the part of the rest of us to solve problems?  Can it lead to a dependency?

 

From boy scout Superman to the questionable X-Men, why the change in the model offered?

 

Have superheroes gone the way of all heroes, attacked by a cynical media to the point of being a joke?  Are there no heroes left? Who should we model ourselves on?

 

Are the Hulk andBruce Banner the same person?  A question of identity.