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Product Description
Product Description
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.
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.
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.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I own a number of these "... And Philosophy" titles, and they are a mixed bag quality-wise. Of all of the ones which I have read, Watchmen and Philosophy is among the best. It has a shaky start, with a couple of papers at the beginning that made me wonder if the author had in fact read Watchmen or was simply presuming things about it based on a Wikipedia article. Apart from those first few unappealing papers, however, the collection is full of excellent work.
Any undergrad philosophy student, or anyone interested in philosophy (especially moral and political philosophy, and the philosophy of mind) should pick this up if they've read Watchmen, even if they've only seen the film. Watchmen is an excellent framing device for teaching philosophy, and the authors of these papers (for the most part) do a great job of taking advantage of this.
Any undergrad philosophy student, or anyone interested in philosophy (especially moral and political philosophy, and the philosophy of mind) should pick this up if they've read Watchmen, even if they've only seen the film. Watchmen is an excellent framing device for teaching philosophy, and the authors of these papers (for the most part) do a great job of taking advantage of this.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Watchmen and Philosophy: A Rorschach Test (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series)
2 Nov 2011
Format:Paperback
It was a really good book on watchmen. If you are a fan of watchmen and wanna know whats behind the comic, you gotta have it. There is a reason why this comic is a best seller.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
A very thought-provoking read on a thought-provoking comic
19 Jan 2009
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.
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.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Want to talk about "Watchmen" in a small group? Grab this book to raise fascinating questions.
6 Mar 2009
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.
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Mining Deeper Meaning in an Already Deep Graphic Novel
5 April 2009
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.
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