Description
Book SynopsisBatman has been one of the world's most beloved superheroes since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Clad in his dark cowl and cape, he has captured the imagination of millions with his single-minded mission to create a better world for the people of Gotham City by fighting crime, making use of expert detective skills, high-tech crime-fighting gadgets, and an extensive network of sidekicks and partners. But why has this self-made hero enjoyed such enduring popularity? And why are his choices so often the subject of intense debate among his fans and philosophers alike? Batman and Ethics goes behind the mask to shed new light on the complexities and contradictions of the Dark Knight's moral code. From the logic behind his aversion to killing to the moral status of vigilantism and his use of torture in pursuit of justice (or perhaps revenge), Batman's ethical precepts are compelling but often inconsistent and controversial. Philosopher and pop culture expert Mark D. Whi
Trade Review"...a smart and fun-to-read book that uses three of the major ethical systems in western philosophy in order to explain why Batman does what he does...White writes in a clear, engaging style that moves along quickly. He’s thoughtful, logical, and thorough without getting bogged down in overly-long philosophical explanations. There’s also plenty of humor in the book, but it’s never campy..."
Armond Boudreaux -
A Clash of Heroes - Superheroes, philosophy, ethics, and politicsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vi
Introduction 1
Part I: What Batman Tries to Do—and How He Might Do It Better 9
1 Utilitarianism and the Mission 11
2 Limitations of the Mission 19
3 Trade‐Offs within the Mission 43
4 The Value and Meaning of the Bat 78
Intermezzo 110
Part II: What Batman Is Willing to Do—and What He Isn’t 115
5 Deontology and the Rules 117
6 Killing 125
7 Torture and Violence 169
8 Law, Justice, and the Police 201
Conclusion 229
References 239
Index 268
List of Comics Writers and Artists 279
