The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer (Popular Culture and Philosophy, 2)

by William Irwin, Mark T. Conard, Aeon J. Skoble, et al.

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812694333
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Open Court
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great content!

This has great content and really makes you think about cartoons and what goes into making them. It’s crazy how a cartoon character can become our family!

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. But it takes a different kind of genius to take those great ideas and find them in contemporary entertainment. Now, don't pick this book up expecting the next big thing in philosophy, but instead pick it up to see how real the pre-existing ideas are as we see them incorporated in our favorite characters. The Simpsons has always been meaningful, which is a rare, though certainly not unseen, quality in today's culture. But the great thing is that this book touches on many aspects of that meaning that we might not have noticed. Although some essays are a bit dry, most of them really hit the spot. Homer and Marge are examined for Aristotelian virtue; Bart is revealed to be the antithesis of the Nietzschean ideal in an essay that at first tries to prove the opposite; and the population of Springfield is looked at from a Kantian and from a Marxist point of view, among others. If you're a Simpsons fan, this book will heighten your enjoyment. If you're one of those people who don't "get" philosophy and want to know more, this book is an ideal introduction. Enjoy!

Simpson, ehh? Another fun compilation by Irwin and Company

Bill Irwin's first collection, _Seinfeld and Philosophy_ was a well put-together set of musings about philosophy regarding the best sit-com ever. This latest compilation ruminates over the best animated series ever. I have been an avid fan of "The Simpsons" since its inception, and a practicing philosopher for the past 4 years. I found this book to be thought-provoking and entertaining. You're not going to find significant philosophical breakthroughs in this book, and you won't find deep insights by watching "The Simpsons," but as a companion to the show, this book will shed new light on the characters and situations found throughout the series.Mostly, I would recommend this book to anyone taking a first-year philosophy course who wants to see how philosophy can make fun things more profound, and profound things more fun. Yes, there is fun to be had in serious academia -- it should not all be dry and boring. Irwin has collected a number of papers that make for philosophical fun for all.

What a perspective!

This book really supplements all of the stuff I learned in college. Its contributors do a fine job of relating basic theories in philosophy to things that every Simpsons fan can enjoy. If you're a fan, it is a must buy, especially if you have a yearning to improve your understanding of how people act.

pop culture doesn't get any better than the Simpsons

If it weren't for the Simpsons, I wouldn't have anything useful on TV to watch. And given the high intellegence that goes into writing the show, what more could one ask for. I've always known there was an underlying meaning to the simpsons, and this is a great book to start exploring it. Just about every great philosopher is quoted in reation to one, or several simpsons characters. And it isn't limited to the nuclear family, but the entire town. I reccomend this book for both simpsons fans and students of pop culture. this should be a required reading (and viewing) for every humanities course taught int he US.

For Philosophically Minded Simpsons Fans!

Almost everyone is a Simpsons fan of one degree or another - everything from complete devotion to the occasional viewer. This book is truly for those who have watched the Simpsons and wondered about the archetypal structure of the family, the Power Plant and the town of Springfield. If that idea interests you, you should have this book. If you think that sounds like a bunch of hooey, then don't buy this book. If you are a rabid fan who must have every piece of Simpsonsphilia, buy several copies. It is a fun read for those who are interested in such things as both philosophy and The Simpsons, but I stress BOTH. You don't need a philosophy degree to read it, but you should have some interest in/and grounding in philosophy. Similarly, you should have a solid grasp of the Simpsons show, and the characters. I think this would be a bit dry for the casual Simpsons fan and bit lightweight for the ultra philosophical. But just right for a lot of us, and fun to read to boot!Some of the chapters include:Homer and AristotleLisa and American Anti-intellectualismThus Spake Bart: On Nietzche and the Vitues of Being BadEnjoying the So-Called "Iced Cream": Mr. Burns, Satan, and HappinessI had a very good time reading this book, and I do wish I had owned it while I was in college. It might have helped me digest Roland Barthes a little easier. Enjoy!