Superheroes and Philosophy

1. Superheroes embody ancient archetypes and evolve like cultural memes.

Mythology is a performance piece that gets acted out over hundreds of years before it actually becomes embedded in clay on a tablet or is put down on a piece of paper to be codified as a fixed thing.

Modern myths. Superheroes are contemporary incarnations of ancient archetypes, like Superman as a version of Hercules or Flash as Mercury. These characters tap into universal symbols hard-wired into our minds.

• Superman: Samson, Hercules
• Flash: Mercury
• Wonder Woman: Amazons
• Thor: Norse mythology

Cultural evolution. Like myths of old, superhero characters are not static; they change and evolve over time. This happens due to various factors:

• New creators bringing fresh ideas
• Market demands for new stories
• Characters moving across different media (comics, TV, film)
• Audience feedback influencing direction

Dynamic nature. This constant change means the Crimson Viper you loved in college might be different today, reflecting the dynamic nature of cultural "memes" – ideas that propagate and transform through non-genetic means, adapting to new pressures and audiences.

2. True heroism lies in noble character and sacrifice, not just power.

The concept of a hero is a moral category.

Beyond superpowers. While superheroes have extraordinary abilities, their core identity as heroes stems from their noble qualities and achievements. The term "superhero" combines superior power with the moral essence of a hero.

• Hero: Admired for achievements and noble qualities (lofty character, morally elevated).
• Superhero: A hero with superhuman powers or abilities developed to a superhuman level.

Sacrifice and self-discipline. Heroism often involves sacrifice – giving up personal comfort or safety for a greater good. This requires self-discipline, a crucial quality for wielding power effectively.

• Superman sacrifices a normal life to help others.
• Peter Parker's life is constantly impacted by his Spider-Man duties.
• Matt Murdock gives up personal time to protect Hell's Kitchen.

Inspirational examples. Superheroes serve as aspirational figures, reminding us of the importance of self-discipline, sacrifice, and dedication to what is good and noble, even when it's difficult or unpopular.

3. Superhero vigilantism raises complex questions about law, justice, and authority.

Sure we’re criminals, we’ve always been criminals. We have to be criminals.

Taking law into own hands. Vigilantes operate outside the established legal system, raising questions about the legitimacy of their actions. While they fight crime, they also break laws, challenging the state's monopoly on force and judgment.

• Batman operates outside Gotham's laws to pursue criminals.
• Paul Kersey in Death Wish actively seeks out attackers.

Public perception. The public and authorities often have ambivalent or hostile reactions to vigilantes. They may be seen as dangerous, unaccountable, or even responsible for the villains they fight.

• In The Dark Knight Returns, Batman is debated as a fascist vs. a champion of justice.
• Superman in Dark Knight Returns becomes a government operative to avoid public backlash.

Law vs. morality. Vigilantism forces us to confront the tension between legal rules and moral imperatives. When the law fails to deliver justice, is it permissible to break the law to achieve a morally right outcome? This is a core dilemma for characters like Batman and Rorschach.

4. The pursuit of power and glory is dangerous; true value lies in respecting persons.

Power has ever been my God.

Corrupting influence. The desire for power and personal glory, when pursued for its own sake, is often depicted as a path to villainy. It's not power itself, but the character of the person wielding it that determines its moral outcome.

• Dr. Doom's philosophy: "Power has ever been my God."
• Doom seeks power to rule and enhance his own glory.
• Galactus, initially an amoral force, is drawn into moral consideration by human actions.

Personalism vs. Utilitarianism. Superhero ethics often align with "personalism," valuing each individual intrinsically, rather than utilitarianism, which might sacrifice individuals for the greater good.

• Superheroes are often unwilling to sacrifice one innocent life to save many.
• Villains often operate on a perverse utilitarianism, seeking maximum harm for maximum power display.

Right use of power. Power and glory are rightly used when they serve the good of others and the community, not selfish ends. The Fantastic Four use their powers for the good of mankind, contrasting with villains who seek power for personal gain.

5. Superheroes grapple with profound psychological struggles and the "double danger" of goodness.

The truly Christian struggle always involves a double danger because there is a struggle in two places: first in the person’s inner being, where he must struggle with himself, and then, when he makes progress in this struggle, outside the person with the world.

Inner demons. Many superheroes are depicted with psychological complexities, trauma, or inner conflicts that drive or complicate their heroism.

• Batman's trauma from parents' murder.
• Rorschach's psychological maladjustment and ruthless commitment to justice.
• Spider-Man's agony balancing personal life and duty.

Kierkegaard's dangers. Being truly good involves overcoming two challenges:

• First Danger: The inner struggle against selfishness, inertia, and personal desires that conflict with the good of others.
• Second Danger: The external struggle with a world that may not applaud, but rather resent, fear, or persecute genuine goodness.

Beyond self-interest. Characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men face these dangers, showing that the choice to be good is not always easy or rewarded by external approval, pushing them beyond simple self-interest or the desire for public acclaim.

6. Relationships, from family bonds to friendships, are crucial to superhero identity and well-being.

Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods . . .

Social creatures. Despite appearances of solitude, superheroes are fundamentally social beings who rely on relationships. Aristotle's analysis of friendship provides a framework for understanding these bonds.

• Utility: Relationships based on mutual practical benefit (Batman and Gordon).
• Pleasure: Relationships based on mutual enjoyment (Batman and Catwoman, later Batman and Nightwing).
• Virtue/Complete: Relationships between virtuous people who wish good for each other's sake (rare, perhaps Batman and Alfred, or the FF).

Family as a core unit. The Fantastic Four exemplify a superhero team bound by family ties, illustrating how these deep relationships provide stability and support amidst chaos.

• Reed, Sue, and Johnny are family by blood/marriage.
• Ben Grimm is integrated into the family unit through deep friendship and mutual need.
• Family provides belonging, support, and a partnership for "living well."

Identity through connection. Personal identity can be understood not just through private attributes (body, mind) but through ongoing relationships with others, suggesting that even radical personal change (like the Hulk) doesn't erase identity if relationships persist.

7. Female superheroes challenge traditional roles and explore diverse ethical frameworks.

The fullness of humanity lies not in single individuals, but with the body of society as a whole.

Expanding heroism. The rise of prominent female superheroes like Storm, Mystique, and Jean Grey reflects a cultural call for diverse heroes and expands the traditional, often male-centric, archetype.

Ethical complexity. These characters embody different approaches to morality:

• Storm: Masters both "ethics of justice" (rational, rule-based) and "care ethics" (relationship-focused, compassionate), transcending traditional gendered ethics.
• Mystique: An anti-hero driven by self-preservation and a distorted sense of justice, illustrating the perversion of ethical principles.
• Jean Grey: Evolves from dependence to self-sacrifice, potentially embodying the highest form of care ethics by giving her life for her friends.

Transcending duality. Characters like Storm and Jean Grey move beyond simple dualities (male/female, justice/care, self/other) towards a more unified understanding of self and community, aligning with mythological journeys of transformation.

8. The question "Why be a superhero?" is a version of the classic "Why be moral?".

With great power comes great responsibility.

The core dilemma. The famous line from Spider-Man's Uncle Ben poses a fundamental question: Does power inherently bring obligation? This mirrors the philosophical question of why anyone should choose to be moral, especially when it requires sacrifice.

• Is it rational to be moral if it conflicts with self-interest?
• Does doing the right thing always lead to the best outcome for the individual?

Philosophical answers explored:

• Reason One (Consequences): Failing duty brings negative consequences (questioned by cases where immorality seems to pay off).
• Reason Two (Rightness): Do it because it is right (questioned if stronger reasons favor wrong actions).
• Reason Three (Plato): Morality brings harmony of soul (questioned for those with weak consciences or who forgive themselves).
• Reason Four (Aristotle): Virtue is its own reward (questioned if virtue's benefits outweigh all potential losses).

The challenge remains. These traditional philosophical answers face difficulties in fully justifying morality in all cases, particularly when faced with scenarios where immorality appears to be in one's best interest in the short run.

9. Superhero identity is complex, involving masks, roles, and continuity through change.

What’s behind the mask?

More than disguise. The superhero costume and name create a distinct identity that is more than just a secret disguise. It's a role, a tool, and a symbol.

• Costumes can strike fear (Batman) or inspire hope.
• They facilitate a transition into an alternative mode of self-identity for performing difficult tasks.

Dual identities. Many superheroes navigate two distinct lives: the public, "normal" identity and the masked, super-powered identity. This isn't necessarily a sign of pathology but reflects playing different, sometimes conflicting, roles.

Identity through change. Characters like the Hulk (Bruce Banner) raise deep metaphysical questions about personal identity over time despite radical physical and mental transformations.

• Is bodily continuity sufficient for identity? (Problem: changing cells, organ transplants).
• Is mental continuity (memory, introspection) sufficient? (Problem: amnesia, circularity).
• Is causal connection sufficient? (Problem: cloning).

Relational identity. Perhaps identity is best understood through continuous relationships with others, suggesting that even radical change doesn't erase who you are if your connections to others persist.

10. Ultimate hope and the grounding of morality may require a larger, even theological, picture.

Truth is ugly.

Naturalism's challenge. A purely naturalistic worldview, which posits no supernatural forces or ultimate purpose, faces difficulties in grounding objective morality and providing a basis for ultimate hope or justice.

• Russell's bleak eschatology: Everything ends in ruin.
• Sociobiology: Ethics is an illusion for cooperation.
• Dilemma: If truth (naturalism) conflicts with justice, which do you choose?

Theological grounding. Some philosophical traditions argue that morality and hope require a larger, metaphysical framework, such as theism.

• Kant: Morality requires assuming God and immortality for rational sense.
• Theism: Provides a source for objective moral principles (God's nature) and grounds for hope (ultimate justice, afterlife).

Hope as motivation. An eschatology promising ultimate justice can motivate action against present evil and provide hope, as seen in Superman's return in Kingdom Come.

• Superman's despair vs. his return bringing hope.
• Batman's tyranny stemming from a loss of hope in ultimate justice.

Partnership for good. A theological view can see humans as partners with a greater power in working for justice, providing both motivation (hope) and constraint (moral law), suggesting that faith doesn't necessarily lead to inaction but to responsible co-creation of good.

Last updated: May 15, 2025