Heroes and Philosophy: Buy the Book, Save the World [NOOK Book]

Be the first to write a review

Overview

The first unauthorized look at the philosophy behind Heroes, one of TV's most popular shows

When ordinary individuals from around the world inexplicably develop superhuman abilities, they question who they are, struggle to cope with new responsibilities, and decide whether to use their new power for good or for evil. Every episode of Tim Kring's hit TV show Heroes is a philosophical quandary. Heroes and Philosophy is the first book to analyze how philosophy makes this show so ...

See more details below
Heroes and Philosophy: Buy the Book, Save the World

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$10.42
BN.com price
(Save 45%)$18.95 List Price
Note: This NOOK Book can be purchased in bulk. Please email us for more information.

More About This Book

Overview

The first unauthorized look at the philosophy behind Heroes, one of TV's most popular shows

When ordinary individuals from around the world inexplicably develop superhuman abilities, they question who they are, struggle to cope with new responsibilities, and decide whether to use their new power for good or for evil. Every episode of Tim Kring's hit TV show Heroes is a philosophical quandary. Heroes and Philosophy is the first book to analyze how philosophy makes this show so compelling. It lets you examine questions crucial to our existence as thinking, rational beings. Is the Company evil, or good? Does Hiro really have a destiny? Do we? Is it okay to lie in order to hide your powers or save the world? Heroes and Philosophy offers answers to these and other intriguing questions.

  • Brings the insight of history's philosophical heavyweights such as Plato and Nietzche to Heroes characters and settings
  • Adds a fun and fascinating dimension to your understanding of the show
  • Expands your thinking about Heroes as the series expands from graphic and text novels to action figures and a video game

Whether you're new to Heroes or have been a fan since day one, this book will take your enjoyment of the show to the next level.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
With each new installment of his Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, general editor William Irwin enacts a major miracle: He and the individual editors apply philosophical analysis to narratives that nonspecialists will understand. In this volume, fans of NBC's supernormal serial Heroes learn what that popular television show and its multifarious media spin-offs can teach us about philosophical ideas and issues. Citing thinkers from Plato to the present, the essay writers address questions ranging from situational ethics to concepts of government and leadership.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780470730393
  • Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 7/23/2009
  • Series: Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series , #4
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 320
  • File size: 2 MB

Meet the Author

David Kyle Johnson is an assistant professor of philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has contributed to several books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, including Family Guy and Philosophy and The Office and Philosophy.

William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King's College. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen recent titles, including Batman and Philosophy, House and Philosophy, and Watchmen and Philosophy.

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Wonder of Heroes.

PART ONE: HEROIC OBLIGATIONS.

Chapter 1: Above the Social Contract? How Superheroes Break Society (Robert Sharp).

Chapter 2: Heroes, Obligations, and The Ethics of Saving the World (J.K. Miles).

Chapter 3: Corporate Capers: The Moral Dimensions of Working for The Company (Christopher Robichaud).

Chapter 4: With Great Creativity Comes Great Imitation: Problems of Plagiarism and Knowledge (Jason Southworth).

PART TWO: SUPERMEN, SAMURAI, AND INVISIBLE MEN.

Chapter 5:Time and the Meaning of Life in Heroes and Nietzsche (Tyler Shores).

Chapter 6: Hiro Nakamura, Bushido, and Hero-Archetypes (Erik Daniel Baldwin).

Chapter 7: Plato on Gyges' Ring of Invisibility: The Power of Heroes and the Value of Virtue (Don Adams).

PART THREE: METAPHYSICS, REGULAR-PHYSICS, AND HEROIC TIME TRAVEL.

Chapter 8: The Foreknowledge of a Painter, The Fate of a Hero (David Kyle Johnson).

Chapter 9: Time to be a Hero: Branching Time and Changing the Future (Morgan Luck).

Chapter 10: Heroes and the Ethics of Time Travel: Does the Present Matter (David Faraci).

Chapter 11: The Physics of Heroes: Immortal Samurais, Flying Men, and Destroying the Space-Time Continuum (Andrew Zimmerman Jones).

Chapter 12: Pseudoscience, Scientific Revolutions, and (Chandra Suresh, David Kyle Johnson and Andrew Zimmerman Jones).

PART FOUR: THE MINDS OF HEROES.

Chapter 13: Peter Petrelli, The Haitian and the Philosophical Implications of Memory Loss (Peter Kirwan).

Chapter 14: Understanding Other Minds: Philosophical Foundations of Heroes Mindreading Powers (Fabio Paglieri).

Chapter 15: Peter Petrelli: The Power of Empathy (Andrew Terjesen).

PART FIVE: VILLAINS, FAMILY AND LYING.

Chapter 16: Are the Heroes Really Good (Peter S. Fosl)?

Chapter 17: Heroes and Family Obligations (Ruth Tallman and Jason Southworth).

Chapter 18: Concealment and Lying: Is this any way for a Hero to act (Mike Berry)?

Contributors: Our Heroes.

Chandra Suresh’s List: a catalogue of powers, both natural and synthetic.

Index: the power of omniscience (about this book).

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 15, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)