Paperback
-
PICK UP IN STORECheck Availability at Nearby Stores
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
On the surface, Iron Man appears to be a straightforward superhero, another rich guy fighting crime with fancy gadgets. But beneath the shiny armor and flashy technology lies Tony Stark, brilliant inventor and eccentric playboy, struggling to balance his desires, addictions, and relationships with his duties as the Armored Avenger. Iron Man and Philosophy explores the many philosophical issues that emerge from the essential conflicts found in the decades of Iron Man stories in comics and movies. What kind of moral compass does Tony Stark have? Is Iron Man responsible for the death of Captain America after the Marvel Universe “Civil War”? Should people like Stark run the world? How does Tony’s alcoholism impact his performance as Iron Man, and what does it say about moral character? Ultimately, what can Iron Man teach us about the role of technology in society?
As absorbing as Iron Man comic books and movies, Iron Man and Philosophy:
- Gives you a new perspective on Iron Man characters, story lines, and themes
- Shows what philosophical heavy hitters such as Aristotle, Locke, and Heidegger can teach us about Tony Stark/Iron Man
- Considers issues such as addiction, personal responsibility, the use of technology, and the role of government
Whether you've been reading the comic books for years or have gotten into Iron Man through the movies, Iron Man and Philosophy is a must-have companion for every fan.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780470482186 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| Publication date: | 03/22/2010 |
| Series: | Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series , #14 |
| Pages: | 288 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d) |
About the Author
William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 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.
Table of Contents
Iron Introductions and Armored Acknowledgments 1
Part 1 The Nuts and Bolts of Tony Stark 5
1 The Stark Madness of Technology George A. Dunn 7
2 The Technological Subversion of Technology: Tony Stark, Heidegger, and the Subject of Resistance Rocco Gangle 25
3 The Literal Making of a Superhero Travis N. Rieder 38
Part 2 Wearing The Armor Responsibly 51
4 Can Iron Man Atone for Tony Stark's Wrongs? Christopher Robichaud 53
5 Did Iron Man Kill Captain America? Mark D. White 64
6 Fate at the Bottom of a Bottle: Alcohol and Tony Stark Ron Novy 80
Part 3 The Iron Age: Tony Stark's Role In Society 95
7 Tony Stark and "The Gospel of Wealth" Andrew Terjesen 97
8 ™ and © Stark Industries: Iron Man and Property Rights Daniel R Malloy 115
9 Tony Stark, Philosopher King of the Future? Tony Spanakos 129
Part 4 The Mind Inside The Iron Man 145
10 Iron Man in a Chinese Room: Does Living Armor Think? Ron Novy 147
11 Flexing His Intelligence: Tony Stark's Brainy Brawn Phillip S. Seng 160
12 Does Tony Stark Have an Iron Will? Mark D. White 172
Part 5 The Virtue of An Avenger 187
13 Does Tony Stark Use a Moral Compass? Sarah K. Donovan Nicholas R Richardson 189
14 Flawed Heroes and Courageous Villains: Plato, Aristotle, and Iron Man on the Unity of the Virtues Carsten Fogh Nielsen 201
15 "I Have a Good Life": Iron Man and the Avenger School of Virtue Stephanie Patterson Brett Patterson 217
Part 6 What It Means To Bean Iron Man 231
16 Iron Man and the Problem of Progress David Valleau Curtis 233
17 Engendering Justice in Iron Man Rebecca Housel Gary Housel 245
18 Iron Man's Transcendent Challenge Stephen Faller 256
Contributors: Avengers Assembled 265
Index: Topics from the S.H.I.E.L.D. File on Tony Stark/Iron Man 273