David K. Johnson 
Heroes and Philosophy 
Buy the Book, Save the World

The first unauthorized look at the philosophy behind
Heroes, one of TV’s most popular shows

When ordinary individuals from around the world inexplicably
develop superhuman abilities, they question who they are, struggle
to cope with new responsibilities, and decide whether to use their
new power for good or for evil. Every episode of Tim Kring’s hit TV
show Heroes is a philosophical quandary. Heroes and
Philosophy is the first book to analyze how philosophy makes
this show so compelling. It lets you examine questions crucial to
our existence as thinking, rational beings. Is the Company evil, or
good? Does Hiro really have a destiny? Do we? Is it okay to lie in
order to hide your powers or save the world? Heroes and
Philosophy offers answers to these and other intriguing
questions.

* Brings the insight of history’s philosophical heavyweights such
as Plato and Nietzche to Heroes characters and settings

* Adds a fun and fascinating dimension to your understanding of
the show

* Expands your thinking about Heroes as the series expands
from graphic and text novels to action figures and a video
game

Whether you’re new to Heroes or have been a fan since day
one, this book will take your enjoyment of the show to the next
level.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: The Wonder of Heroes.

PART ONE: HEROIC OBLIGATIONS.

Chapter 1: Above the Social Contract? How Superheroes Break
Society (Robert Sharp).

Chapter 2: Heroes, Obligations, and The Ethics of Saving the
World (J.K. Miles).

Chapter 3: Corporate Capers: The Moral Dimensions of Working for
The Company (Christopher Robichaud).

Chapter 4: With Great Creativity Comes Great Imitation: Problems
of Plagiarism and Knowledge (Jason Southworth).

PART TWO: SUPERMEN, SAMURAI, AND INVISIBLE MEN.

Chapter 5:Time and the Meaning of Life in Heroes and Nietzsche
(Tyler Shores).

Chapter 6: Hiro Nakamura, Bushido, and Hero-Archetypes (Erik
Daniel Baldwin).

Chapter 7: Plato on Gyges‘ Ring of Invisibility: The Power of
Heroes and the Value of Virtue (Don Adams).

PART THREE: METAPHYSICS, REGULAR-PHYSICS, AND HEROIC TIME
TRAVEL.

Chapter 8: The Foreknowledge of a Painter, The Fate of a Hero
(David Kyle Johnson).

Chapter 9: Time to be a Hero: Branching Time and Changing the
Future (Morgan Luck).

Chapter 10: Heroes and the Ethics of Time Travel: Does the
Present Matter (David Faraci).

Chapter 11: The Physics of Heroes: Immortal Samurais, Flying
Men, and Destroying the Space-Time Continuum (Andrew Zimmerman
Jones).

Chapter 12: Pseudoscience, Scientific Revolutions, and
(Chandra Suresh, David Kyle Johnson and Andrew Zimmerman
Jones).

PART FOUR: THE MINDS OF HEROES.

Chapter 13: Peter Petrelli, The Haitian and the Philosophical
Implications of Memory Loss (Peter Kirwan).

Chapter 14: Understanding Other Minds: Philosophical Foundations
of Heroes Mindreading Powers (Fabio Paglieri).

Chapter 15: Peter Petrelli: The Power of Empathy (Andrew
Terjesen).

PART FIVE: VILLAINS, FAMILY AND LYING.

Chapter 16: Are the Heroes Really Good (Peter S.
Fosl)?

Chapter 17: Heroes and Family Obligations (Ruth Tallman and
Jason Southworth).

Chapter 18: Concealment and Lying: Is this any way for a Hero to
act (Mike Berry)?

Contributors: Our Heroes.

Chandra Suresh’s List: a catalogue of powers, both natural
and synthetic.

Index: the power of omniscience (about this book).

Über den Autor

David Kyle Johnson is an assistant professor of philosophy
at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has contributed
to several books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture
series, including Family Guy and Philosophy and The
Office 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.