This unconventional and lighthearted introduction to the ideas of the major Western philosophers examines The Simpsons — TV's favorite animated family. The authors look beyond the jokes, the crudeness, the attacks on society — and see a clever display of irony, social criticism, and philosophical thought. The writers begin with an examination of the characters. Does Homer actually display Aristotle's virtues of character? In what way does Bart exemplify American pragmatism? The book also examines the ethics and themes of the show, and concludes with discussions of how the series reflects the work of Aristotle, Marx, Camus, Sartre, and other thinkers.
The Simpsons and Philosophy
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No doubt Aristotle just rolled over in his grave on the release of The Simpsons and Philosophy. An essay called "Homer and Aristotle" would appear to be a treatise on two ancient Greek thinkers; in this case, it is a depiction of Homer Simpson's Aristotelian virtues. Raja Halwani's "Homeric" essay is amusing though and moreover it actually ends up being enlightening, especially for those just learning Aristotle's ethics. Bart may be a Nietzschean without knowing it, Mr Burns is a cipher for unhappiness (except when he eats "so-called 'iced-cream'"), and Ned Flanders raises questions about neighbourly love. The book has a lot to say about the Simpsons and even more to say about philosophy.
The Simpsons and Philosophy collects 18 essays into an unpretentious, tongue-in-cheek and surprisingly intelligent look at philosophy through the lens of Matt Groening's vaunted animated series. The editors are quick to point out that they don't think "The Simpsons is the equivalent of history's best works of literature--but it nevertheless is just deep enough and certainly funny enough, to warrant serious attention". The writers of the book are mostly professional philosophers and they are appropriately erudite. But what is truly astonishing, even for a confessed Simpsons addict, is their breadth of Simpsons knowledge, spanning all 12 seasons of the show's history. The Simpsons and Philosophy is obviously not intended to be a turning point in modern thought but it is an excellent introduction to some core elements of philosophy. --Eric de Place
From Publishers Weekly
In Irwin's earlier anthology, Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book About Everything and Nothing (1999), a team of philosophy professors offered an introduction to Plato, Kierkegaard and other major thinkers via the characters and plots of the TV sitcom. Now Irwin and company have regrouped to focus on Matt Groening's popular, long-running animated series, The Simpsons. Noting that Groening studied philosophy in college, they hasten to add that this is not an attempt to explore meanings intended by Groening and the show's artists and writers. "Rather, we're highlighting the philosophical significance of The Simpsons as we see it," declares the editorial trio. Each essay provides a hilarious but incisive springboard to some aspect of philosophy. Can we learn something about the nature of happiness from the unhappy, miserly Mr. Burns? What are Springfield's sexual politics? What makes Bart Simpson a Heideggerian thinker? Could Bart be the Nietzschean ideal? These are the kind of "meaty philosophical issues" TV viewers can expect to find covered by the 21 contributors to this entertaining book, with interpretations drawn from the works of Sartre, Kant, Karl Marx, Virginia Woolf, Roland Barthes and others. Appendixes include a time line of the major philosophers referred to and a chronological guide of the episode titles and original air dates spanning 11 seasons of The Simpsons. (Apr.)Forecast: Seinfeld and Philosophy prompted Entertainment Weekly's review comment, "Wish we'd had this in college." Fans of The Simpsons are certain to find this book to be the perfect rebuttal for those who dismiss the show as a no-brainer.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Homer Simpson does not fare well when evaluated morally. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Homer Simpson does not fare well when evaluated morally. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Jack Blatant
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I am a fan of this series in general - particularly this volume, the one on the Matrix, and the one on the Lord of the Rings - and I avidly await the upcoming volume on philosophy and the Watchmen. Of all of the volumes in the series that I have read, I consider this one to be the best.
This is not necessarily a book for Simpsons fans, nor is it necessarily a book for students of philosophy; you really need to be both in order to appreciate this book. The essays, while witty, are not terribly absract or methodological, and so are accessible to the average well-read person. I use certain essays with my grade 12 philosophy class, where they are very well received. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is not necessarily a book for Simpsons fans, nor is it necessarily a book for students of philosophy; you really need to be both in order to appreciate this book. The essays, while witty, are not terribly absract or methodological, and so are accessible to the average well-read person. I use certain essays with my grade 12 philosophy class, where they are very well received. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Format:Paperback
"The Simpsons and Philosophy" is a collection of essays written by different authors that vary in quality and style. The thrust is the introduction of aspects of philosophy through an analysis of the characters and stories in "The Simpsons." In this regard the book is mostly interesting and informative. A big chunk of it (Part II and much of Part IV) wasn't philosophy at all, but rather "literary" criticism that I didn't much care for -- the worst essay in the collection being the Marxist hissy-fit. Moreover, despite disclaimers throughout the text, there was an assumption of intent on the part of the script writers that, by listening to the voice-overs on the DVDs, one finds isn't really there.
For all the above, I would have rated this book 3 stars. However, the essay "The Function of Fiction" was outstanding and worth the price of the book alone. This essay spent a lot of time away from the Simpsons in particular, but ultimately gave the best argument why the show is so great.
For readers looking for a light read about their favorite show, this book isn't the place to go. But for people who love the Simpsons on all its levels, this book has its place.
By A reader
Format:Paperback
Any true Simpsons fan will recognize that as tribute to Ralph Wiggum's "Me fail english? That's unpossible!" line. Reading The D'oh of Homer, you will recognize the subtle humor that has become a trademark of the series. The book is split into essays covering a goodly range of topics, each of which reference specific Simpsons episodes and characters to make their arguments.
Largely unpretentious and entertaining as philosophy can probably get is the deal here. An inadvertant plus to this book is that the reader can see philosophic models thousands of years old implented into modern day situations via the Simpsons episodes they know so well. Philosophies of government, religion, and humanity are displayed here, along with subjects that don't get much play elsewhere, such as American anti-intelletualism and the parody. If you are a regular watcher of the Simpsons, chances are you already have the subject material committed to heart; this book reveals the school of thought behind the more profound concepts of the show.
All in all, this book is definitely worth a look. Check it out.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dont be fooled by the title
I bought this book expecting a light hearted read. Being an avid fan of the Simpsons, I was keen to study the characters from a tongue in cheek, philosophical perspective... Read more
Published on May 18 2004 by Michael Corrigan
5.0 out of 5 stars
In a breathy voice....excellent...!
I don't usually write reviews (OK never), but I read this book and it killed me. Some of it was just plain bad; I got the feeling that the editor didn't have the heart to tell his... Read more
Published on April 5 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars
More Simpsons Please
This book was less about how philosophy relates to the Simpsons than it was how the Simpsons relate to philosophy. Read more
Published on Feb 25 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
this book was entertaining maybe "best book ever"
If you love the simpsons and think you can handle a book at this reading level then buy it for Willie's sake. Read more
Published on Oct 25 2003 by sean
5.0 out of 5 stars
sheer genius!
Yes, it takes a great mind to dream of such things as the categorical imperative, the examined life, the superman (not Clark Kent), and the virtuous mean. Read more
Published on April 30 2003 by Kevin Artinian
2.0 out of 5 stars
A little dry for my taste
If you are a student of philosophy and know what logical positivism is and who Immanuel Kant was, then you will enjoy this. If you are just a Simpsons buff, probably not.
Published on April 7 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
MMMM--Philosophy
If you ever wonder exactly what all those deep thinkers are really saying, but don't want to plow through their self congratulatory language, and you like the Simpsons, this is the... Read more
Published on April 1 2003 by Kevin Fontenot
4.0 out of 5 stars
Makes it easy for the non-genius to understand
I got this book for Christmas and I read the first five essays in two days, it was a very good read. Read more
Published on Feb 9 2003 by Darrell Fawley, III
4.0 out of 5 stars
First 3/4 of the book is good.
For the most part this is a very entertaining book. The first 3/4 of the book is very good the last fouth is boring and should be in a text book not a book like this one. Read more
Published on Jan 28 2003 by B. Bounous
4.0 out of 5 stars
D'oh
If you're a philosphy head and watch the Simpsons or if you watch the Simpsons and want to make some sense out of philosophy, this is a good book. Read more
Published on Jan 28 2003 by Sacerdos Atque Discipulus
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