Heroes and Philosophy: Buy the Book, Save the World

When ordinary individuals from around the world inexplicably develop superhuman abilities, they question who they are, struggle to cope with their new responsibilities, and choose whether to use their new powers for good or for evil. Such is the mythological universe of Tim Kring's hit TV show Heroes, a critical and popular success that has been developed into interactive websites, magazines, action figures, games, clothing, and now, just in time for the new fall season, the first unauthorized book to explore the show’s epic philosophies.

HEROES AND PHILOSOPHY: Buy the Book, Save the World (Wiley; August 2009; $17.95 / Paper; ISBN: 978-0-470-37338-5) draws on some of philosophy’s heavy hitters – such as Nietzsche, Plato, and Aristotle - to examine crucial questions of the franchise:  Is the Company evil or good? Does Hiro really have a destiny? Do we? Could mind reading be a power that we already have? Is time travel actually possible? What obligations do we have to family? Is it okay to lie in order to hide your powers and save the world? And shouldn’t the heroes of Heroes get paid for their services?

Broken into five parts, the book combines essays written by academics from around the world exploring the show’s most puzzling and fascinating themes, including:

- Corporate Capers: The Moral Implications of Working For the Company
- Heroes and the Ethics of Time Travel: Does the Present Matter?
- Understanding Other Minds: Philosophical Foundations of Heroes’ Mindreading Powers

In the vein of other books in the successful series, HEROES AND PHILOSOPHY uses pop culture phenomena to creatively uncover our driving world views. As series editor William Irwin said in USA Today, “"We like to say the books are about smart popular culture for smart fans.” Undoubtedly, this latest book is sure to fascinate fans, critics, students, and professors alike!