Watchmen and Philosophy: A Rorschach Test (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) [Paperback]

Mark D. White (Editor), William Irwin (Series Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470396857 | ISBN-13: 978-0470396858 | Edition: 1

Alan Moore's Watchmen is set in 1985 and chronicles the alternative history of the United States where the US edges dangerously closer to nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Within this world exists a group of crime busters, who don elaborate costumes to conceal their identity and fight crime, and an intricate plot to kill and discredit these "superheroes."

Alan Moore's Watchmen popularized the graphic novel format, has been named one of Time magazine's top 100 novels, and is now being made into a highly anticipated movie adaptation. This latest book in the popular Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series peers into Moore's deeply philosophical work to parse and deconstruct the ethical issues raised by Watchmen's costumed adventurers, their actions, and their world. From nuclear destruction to utopia, from governmental authority to human morality and social responsibility, it answers questions fans have had for years about Watchmen's ethical quandaries, themes, and characters.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Can we justify Ozymandias's grand plan?

Does Dr. Manhattan really know what's going to happen in the future?

Is the Comedian actually a comedian (or just a jerk)?

Can either Silk Spectre be considered a feminist?

Does Nite Owl's paunch actually make him virtuous?

Watchmen is the most critically acclaimed graphic novel ever published and turned the world of comic superheroes on its head. This masterpiece of realistic storytelling, dialogue, and artwork, courtesy of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, raises a host of compelling philosophical questions. How do Ozymandias and Rorschach justify their actions? What are the political ramifications of the Comedian's work for the government? How do we explain the nature of Dr. Manhattan? And can a graphic novel be considered literature? Whether you're reading Watchmen for the first time or have been a fan for more than twenty years, Watchmen and Philosophy will help you read deeper into the philosophical questions and the revolutionary story that changed comic fiction forever.

About the Author

Mark D. White is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY and coeditor of Batman 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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470396857
• ISBN-13: 978-0470396858
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A very thought-provoking read on a thought-provoking comic January 18, 2009

By Jonathan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

*Spoiler alert: If you have not yet read Watchmen, read it before picking up this book or reading the rest of my review.

This is the second book I have read in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series, the other being Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul. This book is somewhat shorter, but makes up for it in not really having a weak or overly technical section (like the middle third of Batman and Philosophy). I'm not a philosophy buff by nature - never even took a course in it - but this book never really was too far over my head for me to grasp the concepts.

This book tackles a lot of issues implied in the graphic novel, mainly focusing on Ozymandias and the ethics of his scheme to trick the world into peace, Rorschach's view of justice and the aspect of time (and, consequently, predestination and free will) with regard to Dr. Manhattan. There are also a few interesting chapters, like one proposing that Nite Owl's pot belly actually makes him a better hero and another that considers if Watchmen is bona fide literature or not. I particularly liked chapters three through five, which do a lot to challenge the reader to figure out who the "good guy" in the story really is.

That's not to say the book is without its shortcomings. In particular, I was disappointed that the Comedian wasn't covered more. As one of the central characters - and the only character to be in all the major time periods of the novel (Minutemen-era (1940s), Crimebusters-era (1970s), and the actual setting of the story (1985)) - and especially with his deep psychological profile, you would think more than one chapter out of fifteen would really delve into him (although it is a very engaging chapter). There is a chapter titled "Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolis: The Ambiguously Gay Duo" that takes an interesting, if a bit preachy, stand on homosexuality, but doesn't reference Watchmen at all except in pointing out that the pair may be gay, and even then gives no justification for that supposition. Also, the book never discusses identity with regard to the "masks," which in Batman and Philosophy was perhaps one of the most engaging discussions.

Despite these shortcomings, Watchmen and Philosophy is a very worthwhile read. It is engaging, smart and, at times, funny, but never tilts too far in any direction.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to talk about "Watchmen" in a small group? Grab this book to raise fascinating questions. March 5, 2009

By David Crumm TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

This cool new Wiley paperback explores lots of philosophical and spiritual questions related to the landmark comic book series and, in effect, the new film as well. If you're trying to discuss the movie in a small group, it's a good idea to grab a copy of this book.

The themes of the original "Watchmen," which first was published decades ago, couldn't be more timely today. Among the major questions explored in the original comic books (and in this new Wiley companion volume) are themes about authority in our rapidly changing and deeply troubled world.

Who should we regard as heroes? What standards should we require? If super-powerful figures claim the right to be called heroes, should we trust them? As people become extremely powerful in our world, can they betray us? Or, even worse in some cases, can they be so oblivious to the needs of their neighbors that they wind up causing great damage? Is it even possible to be a really super hero today?

This cultural milestone is so complex that -- to crack open a discussion in a small group you're going to need some help. Between these covers, you'll find lots of intriguing pointers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mining Deeper Meaning in an Already Deep Graphic Novel April 4, 2009

By J. J. Kwashnak VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The Watchmen graphic novel has garnered an increasing amount of attention with the recent release of the movie version of the graphic novel. What was developed by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is considered by many to be a masterpiece, combining stunning drawings with equally stunning story line, full of action, politics and many questions - some answered, some not. In creating heroes and anti-heroes in Watchmen the duo pose a lot of questions about right, wrong and the grey area in-between. It is in this ambiguity that Mark D. White and his fellow authors search for meaning and answers to philosophical questions. Each of the authors take on different aspect of the novel, happily with very little overlap on topics. (See The Matrix and Philosophy for repetition on the same quotes again and again). Most of the essays are succinct and quite accessible while exploring topics such as feminism and stoicism. Most of the essays enhance the enjoyment of the book and continues to make the reader think. The large clunker that keeps a star from this book is Robert Arp's discussion of homosexuality is well thought out, but only superficially relates to Watchmen, and delves deeper even into where the topic of Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolis being gay comes from. This aside a great thought provoking novel gets a great through provoking discussion making the reader continue thinking and learning even after the story is over.