White uses the tools of moral philosophy to track Batman's most striking ethical dilemmas and decisions across his most prominent storylines from the early 1970s through the launch of the New 52, and suggests how understanding the mercurial moral character of the caped crusader might help us reconcile our own. Philosopher and pop culture expert Mark D. From the logic behind his aversion to killing to the moral status of vigilantism and his use of torture in pursuit of justice (or perhaps revenge), Batman's ethical precepts are compelling but often inconsistent and controversial.

But why has this self-made hero enjoyed such enduring popularity? And why are his choices so often the subject of intense debate among his fans and philosophers alike? Batman and Ethics goes behind the mask to shed new light on the complexities and contradictions of the Dark Knight's moral code. Clad in his dark cowl and cape, he has captured the imagination of millions with his single-minded mission to create a better world for the people of Gotham City by fighting crime, making use of expert detective skills, high-tech crime-fighting gadgets, and an extensive network of sidekicks and partners. Unfortunately, most of these essays get old fast.Batman has been one of the world's most beloved superheroes since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Drohan actually gets close to the archetypal sources that keep the serialized exploits of Batman and other comic heroes from getting stale.

A few contributions broaden the discussion beyond the well-worn (origin stories of Batman and foes, etc.) casting butler Alfred as Kierkegaard's ''knight of faith'' to Batman's ''knight of infinite resignation,'' contributor Christopher M. In this, the latest in Wiley's Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series (South Park and Philosophy, The Office and., Metallica and.), editors White and Arp assert upfront, and without qualification (apparently, that's the contributors' job), their belief that Batman is ''the most complex character ever to appear in comic books and graphic novels.'' Exploring certain works that have broadened the philosophical undercurrents of the Batman mythos (Frank Miller's Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns are cited often, but rarely the new movies), a raft of professors, students and PhD candidates paint Bruce Wayne's choices as, most often, either utilitarian or deontological, with basic descriptions of these systems helpfully provided for the novice.

Batman and Philosophy by Mark D. White