Breaking Bad and Philosophy

1. Walter White's moral descent challenges our notions of right and wrong

"Walt's journey into the Desert of the Real is a series of traumatic and disruptive events that as a whole, shifts his reality from family man with a steady teaching job, to drug lord."

Moral complexity. Breaking Bad forces viewers to confront the blurred lines between good and evil through Walter White's transformation. Initially a sympathetic character facing terminal cancer and financial struggles, Walt's decisions to cook meth and engage in criminal activities challenge our moral compass.

Justification and rationalization. Walt initially justifies his actions as necessary for his family's financial security. However, as the series progresses, his motivations shift towards personal power and pride. This evolution raises questions about the nature of morality and the extent to which circumstances can justify unethical behavior.

Viewer complicity. The show's narrative structure and Walt's compelling character arc often lead viewers to root for him, despite his increasingly heinous actions. This creates a moral dilemma for the audience, forcing us to examine our own values and the ease with which we can rationalize immoral behavior when presented in a sympathetic light.

2. Existentialism and the absurd: Walt's journey into the "Desert of the Real"

"Walt's constructed reality becomes punctured by the Real through his cancer diagnosis."

Confronting mortality. Walt's cancer diagnosis serves as an existential wake-up call, forcing him to confront the meaninglessness of his life and the brevity of his existence. This aligns with existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the individual's responsibility to create meaning in an absurd and indifferent universe.

Authenticity and freedom. As Walt embraces his Heisenberg persona, he begins to live more authentically according to existentialist thought. He rejects societal norms and expectations, exercising his freedom to define himself through his choices, even if those choices are morally questionable.

The absurd. Breaking Bad explores the concept of the absurd, where Walt's desperate attempts to secure his family's future through illegal means highlight the inherent contradiction between human desires for meaning and the indifferent nature of reality. This tension drives the narrative and Walt's character development throughout the series.

3. The chemistry of morality: Utilitarianism vs. Deontology in Breaking Bad

"Is Walt a great example of an existentialist? We could argue that in fact Walt should've been living his life with an eye toward his own death for many years; that he has only recognized his real values upon seeing the brevity of his life."

Utilitarianism in Breaking Bad. Walt often justifies his actions using utilitarian reasoning, arguing that the benefits to his family outweigh the harm caused by his meth production. This raises questions about the validity of consequentialist ethics and whether the ends can truly justify the means.

Deontological perspective. In contrast, characters like Hank Schrader represent a more deontological approach to ethics, adhering to strict moral rules regardless of consequences. The show explores the tension between these ethical frameworks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Moral relativism. Breaking Bad ultimately suggests that neither utilitarianism nor deontology provides a satisfactory moral framework. Instead, it presents a world of moral relativism, where characters must navigate complex ethical dilemmas without clear-cut answers.

4. Breaking Bad as a critique of the American Dream and capitalist ethos

"Walt's economic plight is symbolic of a corrupting value system and of a society crumbling under the weight of its own unchecked commitments to the American dream of success and consumerism, which now comes at the terrible price of not only sacrificing virtue amongst its citizenry, but also of encouraging, if not out and out praising, viciousness."

The dark side of ambition. Walter White's transformation from a struggling high school teacher to a drug kingpin serves as a twisted version of the American Dream. His pursuit of financial success and power at any cost critiques the notion that hard work and determination always lead to legitimate success.

Capitalism and crime. The show draws parallels between the illegal drug trade and legitimate business practices, highlighting the similarities in ruthless competition, profit-driven decision-making, and the exploitation of others for personal gain.

Societal inequalities. Breaking Bad exposes the systemic issues that drive individuals to crime, such as inadequate healthcare, low teacher salaries, and limited opportunities for upward mobility. This critique extends beyond Walt to other characters like Jesse, showcasing how societal failures can push people towards illegal activities.

5. The transformation of characters: From archetypes to complex individuals

"Skyler's depth makes Breaking Bad pass almost any analytical criteria a feminist scholar might employ. She has developed beyond the archetypical wife and mother ubiquitous on television to a venturesome, creative business partner."

Character evolution. Breaking Bad excels in developing its characters beyond initial stereotypes. Walt's transformation from mild-mannered teacher to ruthless drug lord is mirrored by the growth of supporting characters:

• Skyler: From typical housewife to active participant in Walt's criminal enterprise
• Jesse: From simple drug addict to complex, morally conflicted individual
• Hank: From macho DEA agent to vulnerable, determined investigator

Moral ambiguity. As characters develop, their motivations and actions become increasingly complex, blurring the lines between hero and villain. This complexity forces viewers to constantly reassess their judgments and sympathies.

Ripple effects. The show demonstrates how one person's choices can profoundly impact those around them, creating a web of consequences that transforms every character in unexpected ways.

6. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle as a metaphor for Walt's moral ambiguity

"Walt's alias is a nod to physicist Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, which says that we can never be completely sure of what will happen in any situation because there are always variables which we don't know about."

Scientific metaphor. The choice of "Heisenberg" as Walt's alter ego is a deliberate reference to the Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics. This principle states that it's impossible to simultaneously know both the position and momentum of a particle with perfect accuracy.

Moral uncertainty. In Breaking Bad, this scientific concept becomes a metaphor for the moral ambiguity surrounding Walt's actions. Just as we can't precisely measure both position and momentum, we can't definitively judge Walt's actions as purely good or evil.

Unpredictability. The Uncertainty Principle also reflects the unpredictable nature of Walt's decisions and their consequences. His actions set off chain reactions that often lead to unforeseen and unintended outcomes, mirroring the inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics.

7. The ethics of drug production and distribution in a flawed society

"Consenting adults want what they want. And if I am not supplying it they will get it somewhere else. At least with me they're gettin' exactly what they pay for."

Harm reduction argument. Characters like Walt and Gale justify their meth production by arguing that they provide a safer, purer product than what users would otherwise obtain. This raises questions about the ethics of harm reduction in illegal drug markets.

Personal responsibility vs. societal factors. The show explores the tension between individual choice and social determinism in drug use and addiction. While characters make personal decisions to use drugs, the series also highlights systemic issues that contribute to drug abuse.

Critique of drug policy. Breaking Bad implicitly criticizes the War on Drugs by showcasing its ineffectiveness and unintended consequences. The series illustrates how prohibition creates a lucrative black market and often fails to address the root causes of drug abuse.

8. Gender dynamics and the evolution of female characters in Breaking Bad

"Skyler now makes the family's financial decisions. She figures out the cover story (Walter Jr., Marie, and Hank believe that Walter has a gambling addiction) and even devises a plan to launder the money: the very car wash where Walt moonlighted after school until he quit in the pilot."

Breaking stereotypes. Initially, female characters like Skyler and Marie appear to fulfill traditional roles. However, as the series progresses, they develop into complex individuals with agency and depth.

Power dynamics. The show explores changing power dynamics within relationships, particularly between Walt and Skyler. As Walt becomes more domineering, Skyler evolves from a submissive wife to an active participant in his criminal activities, challenging traditional gender roles.

Female morality. Breaking Bad presents female characters grappling with moral dilemmas, showcasing their capacity for both ethical behavior and moral compromise. This nuanced portrayal challenges simplistic depictions of women as either purely virtuous or villainous.

9. The philosophical implications of free will and determinism in Walt's choices

"Walt's constructed realities shift all the time. Lacan says that constructed reality is made up of language, symbols, signs and experiences, and as such, our realities are coded and recoded on a continual basis."

Illusion of choice. Breaking Bad raises questions about the nature of free will. While Walt appears to make conscious decisions, the show suggests that his choices are influenced by external factors such as his cancer diagnosis, financial pressures, and societal expectations.

Determinism vs. agency. The series explores the tension between determinism (the idea that all events are predetermined) and personal agency. Walt's transformation can be seen as either a series of freely made choices or an inevitable result of his circumstances and personality.

Responsibility and consequences. Despite the ambiguity surrounding free will, the show emphasizes the consequences of Walt's actions. This raises philosophical questions about moral responsibility in a potentially deterministic universe.

10. Breaking Bad as a modern tragedy: The inevitable downfall of Walter White

"Don DeLillo has a tendency of plots to move towards death . . . the idea of death is built into the nature of the plot. A narrative plot is no less a conspiracy of armed men. The tighter the plot of the story, the more likely it will come to death."

Tragic hero. Walter White embodies the classic tragic hero, a fundamentally flawed character whose actions lead to his inevitable downfall. His hubris and moral compromise drive the narrative towards its inexorable conclusion.

Catharsis. The series evokes a sense of catharsis in viewers, allowing them to experience pity and fear through Walt's journey. This aligns with Aristotle's concept of tragedy as a means of emotional purification.

Moral lesson. Like traditional tragedies, Breaking Bad serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition and moral compromise. Walt's descent into villainy illustrates the corrupting influence of power and the slippery slope of ethical violations.

Last updated: August 19, 2024