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heroes and philosophy: Heroes and Philosophy David K. Johnson, 2009-08-17 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. |
heroes and philosophy: Heroes and Philosophy David K. Johnson, 2009-07-23 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. |
heroes and philosophy: Philosophy for Heroes Clemens Lode, 2016-12-16 We are each heroes in the making. How can this be? Because we can reflect on our actions. We have the potential to become heroes in every aspect and every action of our lives... Being a hero is much more than committing a heroic act. One does not magically morph into a hero as a result of circumstance: the just-in-time rescue, rising up in the midst of a crisis, or even leading others out of a catastrophe. Becoming a hero is more than even these courageous acts. It requires deep insight-the type of philosophical investigation that the greatest minds throughout history have pondered. With his book series Philosophy for Heroes, Clemens Lode bridges the gap between coding, science, philosophy, and, ultimately, leadership. In Philosophy for Heroes: Knowledge, he takes the reader on a journey, examining the foundations of knowledge. What is the basis of our understanding of the world? How does society define a hero? How do basic skills, such as language and mathematics, train our way of thinking and reasoning? Becoming a hero requires more than courage. It requires speaking up, stepping forward from the sidelines, and taking action. For all of this, a deep insight into philosophy is the first, and most important, step. Philosophy for Heroes connects the wisdom of the ages to today's real world. Table of Contents 1 My Philosophy 1.1 Heroism 1.1.1 The Conventional Hero 1.1.2 Heroes and Conflicts 1.2 The Key to Wisdom 1.3 Why Philosophy Is Important 1.4 Basics of Philosophy 1.5 Ontology 1.5.1 The Fallacy of the Stolen Concept 1.5.2 The Axiom of Existence 1.5.3 The Axiom of Identity 1.5.4 The Axiom of Consciousness 1.6 Epistemology 1.6.1 Perception 1.6.1.1 The Limits of Perception 1.6.1.2 The Range of Perception 1.6.2 Concepts 1.6.2.1 Concept Formation 1.6.2.2 Establishment of a Definition 1.6.2.3 Concept Hierarchies 1.6.2.4 Conceptual Common Denominator 1.6.2.5 Boundary Cases 1.6.2.6 Concepts in Computers 1.6.3 Induction and Deduction 1.6.4 Rationalism 1.6.5 Induction and Empiricism 1.6.5.1 A World Without Induction 1.6.5.2 The Problem of Induction 1.6.5.3 The Truth 2 Language 2.1 Properties of Language 2.1.1 The Origin of Writing 2.1.2 Completeness and Consistency 2.1.2.1 Incomplete Languages 2.1.2.2 Inconsistent Languages 2.1.3 Language Optimization 2.1.4 Learning of Languages 2.2 Language and Mathematics 2.2.1 Sets 2.2.1.1 Set of all Sets 2.2.1.2 Countable Sets 2.2.2 Ratios 2.2.3 Irrational Numbers 2.2.4 Mathematics and Empiricism 2.2.5 The Zero 2.2.6 Mathematics and Reality 2.3 The Value of Language 2.3.1 The Foundation of Knowledge 2.3.2 The Theory of Mind 2.3.3 Language as Communication 2.3.3.1 Differences in Concepts 2.3.3.2 Cultural Differences 2.3.3.3 Translatability 2.3.3.4 Other Forms of Intelligence 2.3.3.5 The Arecibo Message 2.3.3.6 Trust 2.3.3.7 Language in Society |
heroes and philosophy: Untangling Heroism Ari Kohen, 2013-10-15 The idea of heroism has become thoroughly muddled today. In contemporary society, any behavior that seems distinctly difficult or unusually impressive is classified as heroic: everyone from firefighters to foster fathers to freedom fighters are our heroes. But what motivates these people to act heroically and what prevents other people from being heroes? In our culture today, what makes one sort of hero appear more heroic than another sort? In order to answer these questions, Ari Kohen turns to classical conceptions of the hero to explain the confusion and to highlight the ways in which distinct heroic categories can be useful at different times. Untangling Heroism argues for the existence of three categories of heroism that can be traced back to the earliest Western literature – the epic poetry of Homer and the dialogues of Plato – and that are complex enough to resonate with us and assist us in thinking about heroism today. Kohen carefully examines the Homeric heroes Achilles and Odysseus and Plato’s Socrates, and then compares the three to each other. He makes clear how and why it is that the other-regarding hero, Socrates, supplanted the battlefield hero, Achilles, and the suffering hero, Odysseus. Finally, he explores in detail four cases of contemporary heroism that highlight Plato’s success. Kohen states that in a post-Socratic world, we have chosen to place a premium on heroes who make other-regarding choices over self-interested ones. He argues that when humans face the fact of their mortality, they are able to think most clearly about the sort of life they want to have lived, and only in doing that does heroic action become a possibility. Kohen’s careful analysis and rethinking of the heroism concept will be relevant to scholars across the disciplines of political science, philosophy, literature, and classics. |
heroes and philosophy: Superheroes and Philosophy Tom Morris, Matt Morris, 2010-10 Great Caesars Ghost!! A team of Brainiacs! Superheroes and Philosophy is Kryptonite for those super villains who diss the heroes as lightweights! Riddle me this, Batman: How are Gotham City and Metropolis like ancient Athens and modern Paris? Read this sensational book and find out! |
heroes and philosophy: Wounded Heroes Marina McCoy, 2013-09-26 McCoy examines how Greek epic, tragedy, and philosophy offer important insights into the nature of human vulnerability, especially how Greek thought extols the recognition and proper acceptance of vulnerability. Beginning with the literary works of Homer and Sophocles, she also expands her analysis to the philosophical works of Plato and Aristotle. |
heroes and philosophy: Adventure Time and Philosophy Nicolas Michaud, 2015-04-07 Adventure Time and Philosophy is a monster-beating, wild ride of philosophical mayhem. The authors have come together to understand and explore one of the deepest and most thoughtful television shows ever to assault human brain waves. Where Adventure Time shows us what the world could be like, this book screws open our cranial lids, mucks about in the mess that is our heads, and attempts to come to some answers about the nature of reality. Adventure Time challenges everything we know about life, meaning, heroism, and even burritos. And it’s time to give the show some serious thought. Adventure Time and Philosophy is a chance to put down your broadsword, put your exhausted monster-slaying feet up, and try to figure out why you spend your time rescuing people in distress and fighting for justice. What is justice anyway? If you don’t happen to have your pocket edition of the Enchiridion on hand, and Billy the Hero *wicked guitar solo* hasn’t been returning your calls, pick up Adventure Time and Philosophy and learn what it means to be a real hero! The authors of the chapters will prove that Adventure Time is much more than a cartoon, it’s a way of life. . . . It’s also the future!-—a post-apocalyptic future 10,000 years after the Great Mushroom War, actually. Who better to have as companions than Finn and Jake when taking on Plato, Nietzsche, and Baudrillard or encountering the Slime Princess, the Ice King, and Marceline the Vampire Queen. In a review of the show in Entertainment Weekly, Darren Franich characterized Adventure Time as a “hybrid sci-fi/fantasy/horror/musical/fairy tale, with echoes of Calvin and Hobbes, Hayao Miyazaki, Final Fantasy, Richard Linklater, Where the Wild Things Are, and the music video you made with your high school garage band.” This book is filled with chapters written by a colorful cast of characters who enlighten us about the profound and life-affirming spiritual subtext and dark comedic elements of an awesomely fantastic show. |
heroes and philosophy: On Heroes, Hero-worship and the Heroic in History Thomas Carlyle, 1866 |
heroes and philosophy: Superhero Ethics Travis Smith, 2018-06-01 Whether in comic books or on movie screens, superhero stories are where many people first encounter questions about how they should conduct their lives. Although these outlandish figures—in their capes, masks, and tights, with their unbelievable origins and preternatural powers—are often dismissed as juvenile amusements, they really are profound metaphors for different approaches to shaping one’s character and facing the challenges of life. But, given the choice, which superhero should we follow today? Who is most worthy of our admiration? Whose goals are most noble? Whose ethics should we strive to emulate? To decide, Travis Smith takes ten top superheroes and pits them one against another, chapter by chapter. The hero who better exemplifies how we ought to live advances to the final round. By the end of the book, a single superhero emerges victorious and is crowned most exemplary for our times. How, then, shall we live? How can we overcome our beastly nature and preserve our humanity? (The Hulk vs. Wolverine) How far can we rely on our willpower and imagination to improve the human condition? (Iron Man vs. Green Lantern) What limits must we observe when protecting our neighborhood from crime and corruption? (Batman vs. Spider-Man) Will the pursuit of an active life or a contemplative life bring us true fulfillment? (Captain America vs. Mr. Fantastic) Should we put our faith in proven tradition or in modern progress to achieve a harmonious society? (Thor vs. Superman) Using superheroes to bring into focus these timeless themes of the human condition, Smith takes us on an adventure as fantastic as any you’ll find on a splash page or the silver screen—an intellectual adventure filled with surprising insights, unexpected twists and turns, and a daring climax you’ll be thinking about long after it’s over. |
heroes and philosophy: Inception and Philosophy David Kyle Johnson, 2011-10-31 A philosophical look at the movie Inception and its brilliant metaphysical puzzles Is the top still spinning? Was it all a dream? In the world of Christopher Nolan's four-time Academy Award-winning movie, people can share one another's dreams and alter their beliefs and thoughts. Inception is a metaphysical heist film that raises more questions than it answers: Can we know what is real? Can you be held morally responsible for what you do in dreams? What is the nature of dreams, and what do they tell us about the boundaries of self and other? From Plato to Aristotle and from Descartes to Hume, Inception and Philosophy draws from important philosophical minds to shed new light on the movie's captivating themes, including the one that everyone talks about: did the top fall down (and does it even matter)? Explores the movie's key questions and themes, including how we can tell if we're dreaming or awake, how to make sense of a paradox, and whether or not inception is possible Gives new insights into the nature of free will, time, dreams, and the unconscious mind Discusses different interpretations of the film, and whether or not philosophy can help shed light on which is the right one Deepens your understanding of the movie's multi-layered plot and dream-infiltrating characters, including Dom Cobb, Arthur, Mal, Ariadne, Eames, Saito, and Yusuf An essential companion for every dedicated Inception fan, this book will enrich your experience of the Inception universe and its complex dreamscape. |
heroes and philosophy: The Story of Analytic Philosophy Anat Biletzki, Anat Matar, 2002-01-31 This unique collection looks at analytic philosophy in its historical context. Prominent philosophers discuss key figures, including Russell and Wittgenstein, methods and results in analytic philosophy to present its story. This volume assesses the challenge posed by changing cultural and philosophical trends and movements. |
heroes and philosophy: What Makes a Hero? Elizabeth Svoboda, 2013-08-29 An entertaining investigation into the biology and psychology of why we sacrifice for other people Researchers are now applying the lens of science to study heroism for the first time. How do biology, upbringing, and outside influences intersect to produce altruistic and heroic behavior? And how can we encourage this behavior in corporations, classrooms, and individuals? Using dozens of fascinating real-life examples, Elizabeth Svoboda explains how our genes compel us to do good for others, how going through suffering is linked to altruism, and how acting heroic can greatly improve your mental health. She also reveals the concrete things we can do to encourage our most heroic selves to step forward. It’s a common misconception that heroes are heroic just because they’re innately predisposed to be that way. Svoboda shows why it’s not simply a matter of biological hardwiring and how anyone can be a hero if they're committed to developing their heroic potential. |
heroes and philosophy: Heroes Franco "Bifo" Berardi, 2015-02-03 What is the relationship between capitalism and mental health? In his most unsettling book to date, Franco “Bifo” Berardi embarks on an exhilarating journey through philosophy, psychoanalysis and current events, searching for the social roots of the mental malaise of our age. Spanning an array of horrors – the Aurora “Joker” killer; Anders Breivik; American school massacres; the suicide epidemic in Korea and Japan; and the recent spate of “austerity” suicides in Europe – Heroes dares to explore the darkest shadow cast by the contemporary obsession with relentless competition and hyper-connectivity. In a volume that crowns four decades of radical intellectual work, Berardi develops the psychoanalytical insights of his friend Félix Guattari and proposes dystopian irony as a strategy to disentangle ourselves from the deadly embrace of absolute capitalism. |
heroes and philosophy: Heroes of History Will Durant, 2012-01-28 In the tradition of his own bestselling masterpieces The Story of Civilization and The Lessons of History, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Will Durant traces the lives and ideas of those who have helped to define civilization, from its dawn to the beginning of the modern world. Heroes of History is a book of life-enhancing wisdom and optimism, complete with Durant's wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple, exciting terms. It is the lessons of our heritage passed on for the edification and benefit of future generations—a fitting legacy from America's most beloved historian and philosopher. Will Durant's popularity as America's favorite teacher of history and philosophy remains undiminished by time. His books are accessible to readers of every kind, and his unique ability to compress complicated ideas and events into a few pages without ever talking down to the reader, enhanced by his memorable wit and a razor-sharp judgment about men and their motives, made all of his books huge bestsellers. Heroes of History carries on this tradition of making scholarship and philosophy understandable to the general reader, and making them good reading, as well. At the dawn of a new millennium and the beginning of a new century, nothing could be more appropriate than this brilliant book that examines the meaning of human civilization and history and draws from the experience of the past the lessons we need to know to put the future into context and live in confidence, rather than fear and ignorance. |
heroes and philosophy: Heroes, Legends, Champions Andrew Bernstein, 2020-01-20 This is not a self-help book. Its purpose is to not to show us how to apply the lessons of a hero's life in our own. Rather, it is a theoretical book, explaining what heroes are and why mankind needs them. Before we can emulate heroes, we must properly identify them, we must understand who and what they are....And what they are not. This is a matter of life and death. Some persons, for example, at various times have considered as heroes Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, and Osama bin Laden. If we are to promote human life, it is necessary for us to clearly understand that and why mass murderers are definitively excluded from the echelon of heroes. Chapters One, Two, and Three focus on the nature and definition of a hero, and provide a method for distinguishing a hero from non-heroes. Chapter Four raises the question of whether, under appropriate circumstances, everyman and everywoman can rise to heroic heights--and answers in the affirmative. Chapters Five, Six, and Seven dispute the time-honored notion that heroism involves self-sacrifice and demonstrate, rather, that heroism, properly understood, involves actions self-fulfilling; heroism and self-sacrifice are, in fact, moral antipodes. Chapter Eight discusses an appropriate response to morally flawed heroes--and Chapter Nine explains the errors of the modern antihero mentality. Finally, Chapter Ten shows the life-giving importance of hero worship. The two appendices validate philosophic principles that underlie the theory of heroes elucidated here: That human life is the standard of moral value and that human beings possess free will. This book does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of a hero's nature. Presumably, there is more to be said. But it is a provocative first step toward understanding the nature of heroes, one that will hopefully spark a lively 21st century debate of this important subject. |
heroes and philosophy: Zero to Hero, Hero to Zero Lydia Langerwerf, Cressida Ryan, 2020-05-15 Hercules is a hero; we were all brought up to appreciate the basic idea of the ancient hero. But what about him makes him one? This book aims to challenge some of the standard expectations as to what constitutes a hero, considering the phenomenon of heroism from a range of viewpoints. In this book we invite you to walk around the monumental notions of the hero and heroism, and endeavour to reach out and touch them on all sides. The chapters in this volume testify to the difficulty of answering the question ‘what is a hero?’ and engage with a variety of themes in attempting to offer some replies. They demonstrate not just the variety of ways in which the protagonists of ancient literature can be deemed heroic, but also the tendency for aspects of heroism to turn sour once identified. It seems that the moment we recognise heroic features, we are forced to question them. Do heroes necessitate anti-heroes, for example? Portraying protagonists’ heroic qualities in an ambigous light focuses the reader’s attention on the problem of realising the ideals of heroism in historic actuality. Various chapters ask the rhetorical question of whether we should expect, or more importantly, desire historical actors to behave like mythical heroes. To what extent can a hero ever be integrated into normal society? What difference might there be between a tragic and an epic hero? The commonplace ‘The only good hero is a dead hero’ summarises the extent to which this book also focuses on heroic death and dying. Covering Euripides to Monty Python, Roman soldiers to the modern military, this volume offers the reader a chance to think about the changing notion of the hero and recognise heroic qualities throughout western culture. |
heroes and philosophy: Steven Spielberg and Philosophy Dean A. Kowalski, 2008-11-21 Has any film director had a greater impact on popular culture than Steven Spielberg? Whether filming Holocaust heroes and villains, soldiers, dinosaurs, extraterrestrials, or explorers in search of the Holy Grail, Spielberg has given filmgoers some of the most memorable characters and wrenching moments in the history of cinema. Whatever his subject—war, cloning, slavery, terrorism, or adventure—all of Spielberg's films have one aspect in common: a unique view of the moral fabric of humanity. Dean A. Kowalski's Steven Spielberg and Philosophy is like a remarkable conversation after a night at the movie theater, offering new insights and unexpected observations about the director's most admired films. Some of the nation's most respected philosophers investigate Spielberg's art, asking fundamental questions about the nature of humanity, cinema, and Spielberg's expression of his chosen themes. Applying various philosophical principles to the movies, the book explores such topics as the moral demands of parenthood in War of the Worlds; the ultimate unknowability of the other in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Schindler's List; the relationship between nature and morality in Jurassic Park; the notion of consciousness in A.I.: Artificial Intelligence; issues of war theory and ethics in Munich; and the foundation of human rights in Amistad. Impressive in scope, this volume illustrates the philosophical tenets of a wide variety of thinkers from Plato to Aquinas, Locke, and Levinas. Contributors introduce readers to philosophy while simultaneously providing deeper insight into Spielberg's approach to filmmaking. The essays consider Spielberg's movies using key philosophical cornerstones: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, axiology, aesthetics, and political philosophy, among others. At the same time, Steven Spielberg and Philosophy is accessible to those new to philosophy, using the philosophical platform to ponder larger issues embedded in film and asking fundamental questions about the nature of cinema and how meanings are negotiated. The authors contend that movies do not present philosophy—rather philosophy is something viewers do while watching and thinking about films. Using Spielberg's films as a platform for discussing these concepts, the authors contemplate questions that genuinely surprise the reader, offering penetrating insights that will be welcomed by film critics, philosophers, and fans alike. |
heroes and philosophy: Batman and Philosophy Mark D. White, Robert Arp, 2009-05-04 Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Can we hold the Joker morally responsible for his actions? Is Batman better than Superman? If everyone followed Batman's example, would Gotham be a better place? What is the Tao of the Bat? Batman is one of the most complex characters ever to appear in comic books, graphic novels, and on the big screen. What philosophical trials does this superhero confront in order to keep Gotham safe? Combing through seventy years of comic books, television shows, and movies, Batman and Philosophy explores how the Dark Knight grapples with ethical conundrums, moral responsibility, his identity crisis, the moral weight he carries to avenge his murdered parents, and much more. How does this caped crusader measure up against the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Kierkegaard, and Lao Tzu? |
heroes and philosophy: Gods and Heroes Korwin Briggs, 2018-08-21 Meet the Original Superheroes. Before there was Batman, Wonder Woman, or Black Panther...there was Indra, Hindu king of gods, who battled a fearsome snake to save the world from drought. Athena, the powerful Greek goddess of wisdom who could decide the fate of battles before they even began. Okuninushi, the Japanese hero who defeated eighty brothers to become king and then traded it all for a chance at immortality. Featuring more than 70 characters from 23 cultures around the world, this A-to-Z encyclopedia of mythology is a who's who of powerful gods and goddesses, warriors and kings, enchanted creatures and earthshaking giants whose stories have been passed down since the beginning of timeâand are now given fresh life for a new generation of young readers. Plus, You'll Learn All About: Dragons: The Hydra, St. George's Dragon, and the Australian Rainbow Snake Giants: Grendel, Balor of the Evuil Eye, Polyphemus, and the Purusha with the thousand heads Monsters: Manticore, Sphinx, Minotaur, Thunderbird, and Echidne, mother of the Nemean lion that nearly killed Heracles Underworlds: Travel to Hades, Valhalla, and the Elysian Fields |
heroes and philosophy: Star Wars and Philosophy Kevin S. Decker, Jason T. Eberl, 2005-04-01 The Star Wars films continue to revolutionize science fiction, creating new standards for cinematographic excellence, and permeating popular culture around the world. The films feature many complex themes ranging from good versus evil and moral development and corruption to religious faith and pragmatism, forgiveness and redemption, and many others. The essays in this volume tackle the philosophical questions from these blockbuster films including: Was Anakin predestined to fall to the Dark Side? Are the Jedi truly role models of moral virtue? Why would the citizens and protectors of a democratic Republic allow it to descend into a tyrannical empire? Is Yoda a peaceful Zen master or a great warrior, or both? Why is there both a light and a dark side of the Force? Star Wars and Philosophy ponders the depths of these subjects and asks what it truly means to be mindful of the living force. |
heroes and philosophy: The Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell, 1988 A study of heroism in the myths of the world - an exploration of all the elements common to the great stories that have helped people make sense of their lives from the earliest times. It takes in Greek Apollo, Maori and Jewish rites, the Buddha, Wotan, and the bothers Grimm's Frog-King. |
heroes and philosophy: Heretics and Heroes Thomas Cahill, 2013-10-29 The New York Times bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization reveals how the innovations of the Renaissance and the Reformation changed the Western world. • “Cahill is our king of popular historians.” —The Dallas Morning News This was an age in which whole continents and peoples were discovered. It was an era of sublime artistic and scientific adventure, but also of newly powerful princes and armies—and of unprecedented courage, as thousands refused to bow their heads to the religious pieties of the past. In these exquisitely written and lavishly illustrated pages, Cahill illuminates, as no one else can, the great gift-givers who shaped our history—those who left us a world more varied and complex, more awesome and delightful, more beautiful and strong than the one they had found. |
heroes and philosophy: Heroes of Their Own Lives Linda Gordon, 2022-10-17 In this unflinching history of family violence, Linda Gordon traces policies on child abuse and neglect, wife beating, and incest from 1880 to 1960. Gordon begins with the so-called discovery of family violence in the 1870s, when experts first identified it as a social rather than personal problem. From there, Gordon chronicles the changing visibility of family violence as gender, family, and political ideologies shifted and the women’s and civil rights movements gained strength. Throughout, she illustrates how public perceptions of issues like marriage, poverty, alcoholism, mental illness, and responsibility worked for and against the victims of family violence, and looks at the link between family violence and larger social problems. Powerful and moving, Heroes of Their Own Lives offers an honest understanding of a persistent problem and a realistic view of the difficulties in stopping it. |
heroes and philosophy: Einstein's Heroes Robyn Arianrhod, 2005 Blending science, history, and biography, this book reveals the mysteries of mathematics, focusing on the life and work of three of Albert Einstein's heroes: Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and James Clerk Maxwell. |
heroes and philosophy: Beethoven Hero Scott Burnham, 2020-07-21 Bringing together reception history, music analysis and criticism, the history of music theory, and the philosophy of music, Beethoven Hero explores the nature and persistence of Beethoven's heroic style. What have we come to value in this music, asks Scott Burnham, and why do generations of critics and analysts hear it in much the same way? Specifically, what is it that fosters the intensity of listener engagement with the heroic style, the often overwhelming sense of identification with its musical process? Starting with the story of heroic quest heard time and again in the first movement of the Eroica Symphony, Burnham suggests that Beethoven's music matters profoundly to its listeners because it projects an empowering sense of self, destiny, and freedom, while modeling ironic self-consciousness. In addition to thus identifying Beethoven's music as an overarching expression of values central to the age of Goethe and Hegel, the author describes and then critiques the process by which the musical values of the heroic style quickly became the controlling model of compositional logic in Western music criticism and analysis. Apart from its importance for students of Beethoven, this book will appeal to those interested in canon formation in the arts and in music as a cultural, ethical, and emotional force--and to anyone concerned with what we want from music and what music does for us. |
heroes and philosophy: The Virtues of Captain America , 2014-01-27 The first look at the philosophy behind the Captain America comics and movies, publishing in advance of the movie release of Captain America: The Winter Solider in April 2014. In The Virtues of Captain America, philosopher and long-time comics fan Mark D. White argues that the core principles, compassion, and judgment exhibited by the 1940’s comic book character Captain America remain relevant to the modern world. Simply put, Cap embodies many of the classical virtues that have been important to us since the days of the ancient Greeks: honesty, courage, loyalty, perseverance, and, perhaps most importantly, honor. Full of entertaining examples from more than 50 years of comic books, White offers some serious philosophical discussions of everyone’s favorite patriot in a light-hearted and accessible way. Presents serious arguments on the virtues of Captain America while being written in a light-hearted and often humorous tone Introduces basic concepts in moral and political philosophy to the general reader Utilizes examples from 50 years of comics featuring Captain America, the Avengers, and other Marvel superheroes Affirms the value of old-fashioned virtues for the modern world without indulging in nostalgia for times long passed Reveals the importance of the sound principles that America was founded upon Publishing in advance of Captain America: The Winter Soldier out in April 2014. |
heroes and philosophy: Beyond Heroes and Holidays Enid Lee, Deborah Menkart, Margo Okazawa-Rey, 2002 Interdisciplinary manual analyzes the roots of racism through lessons and readings by numerous educators. Issues such as tracking, parent/school relations, and language policies are addressed along with readings and lessons for pre- and in-service staff development. All levels. |
heroes and philosophy: The River and I John G. Neihardt, 2019-12-12 In 'The River and I' by John G. Neihardt, the reader is taken on a poetic journey through the beauty and power of nature as seen through the eyes of the author. Neihardt's lyrical prose captures the essence of the river, weaving together themes of interconnectedness, spirituality, and the passage of time. Drawing on his knowledge of Native American culture and spirituality, Neihardt infuses the narrative with a sense of reverence for the natural world, making this book a unique and profound reading experience. Set against the backdrop of the American Midwest, the book transports readers to a place of contemplation and introspection. John G. Neihardt, a renowned poet and ethnographer, brings a deep understanding of the natural world and Native American culture to 'The River and I'. His experiences living among the Plains Indians and studying their traditions inform the richness of the text, offering readers a glimpse into a world that is both foreign and familiar. Neihardt's background as a scholar and writer shines through in his masterful handling of language and his ability to evoke emotion through his words. I highly recommend 'The River and I' to readers who appreciate beautifully crafted prose, insightful reflections on nature and spirituality, and a deep connection to the natural world. Neihardt's book is a timeless work that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who delves into its pages. |
heroes and philosophy: Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men Julian C. Chambliss, 2014-11-10 Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men explores the changing depiction of superheroes from the comic books of the 1930s to the cinematic present. In this anthology, scholars from a variety of disciplines including history, cultural studies, Latin American studies, film studies, and English examine the superheros cultural history in North America with attention to particular stories and to the historical contexts in which those narratives appeared. Enduring comic book characters from DC and Marvel Comics including Superman, Iron Man, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Avengers are examined, along with lesser-known Canadian, Latino, and African-American superheroes. With a sweep of characters ranging from the Pulp Era to recent cinematic adaptations, and employing a variety of analytical frameworks, this collection offers new insights for scholars, students, and fans of the superhero genre. |
heroes and philosophy: Among Heroes Jack R Ainsworth, 2015-04-10 Today is September 15, 1944. The time is 0300, this is D-day for the 1st Marine Division's attack on the Japanese occupied island of Peleliu, one of many small but well-fortified islands of the Palau group in the western Carolines. H-hour has been officially announced as 0830, which is but five and-one-half hours before us. The troops were awake most of the night and many stayed on deck to watch the first glimpses of the naval bombardment as we draw closer to the island. Reveille at 0300 was only a reminder to the men that there remained only a few hours before we would be moving to a hostile beach. The time is now 0315 and from where I am standing on the flag bridge, I can see the reddish-orange flashes of our big naval guns and hear the echoing report from miles across the slightly choppy sea. It is not yet light and the island of Peleliu cannot be seen except when it is occasionally silhouetted by a big explosion inland from the beach. It is 0330 now and the troops are at breakfast, eating their scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee, and fresh fruit in the mess hall down below decks. It is still darken ship on all weather decks. 0430 and the men have finished breakfast and returned to their respective compartments to finally arrange and check their battle equipment and add a finishing touch to their weapons with brush, oil, and ramrod. These weapons are going to mean life or death in a tight spot. |
heroes and philosophy: Jesus or Nietzsche Raymond Angelo Belliotti, 2013 This book reconstructs the cornerstones of Jesus’s moral teachings about how to lead a good, even exemplary, human life. It does so in a way that is compatible with the most prominent, competing versions of the historical Jesus. The work also contrast Jesus’ understanding of the best way to lead our lives with that of Friedrich Nietzsche. Both Jesus and Nietzsche were self-consciously moral revolutionaries. Jesus refashioned the imperatives of Jewish law to conform to what he was firmly convinced was the divine will. Nietzsche aspired to transvalue the dominant values of his time —which themselves were influenced greatly by Christianity— in service of what he took to be a higher vision. The interplay of these radical versions of the good human life, seasoned with critical commentary emerging from modern findings in the sciences and humanities, opens possibilities and lines of inquiry that can inform our choices in answering that enduring, paramount question, “How should we live our lives?” |
heroes and philosophy: The Philosophy of Venom Titan Comics, 2021-07-14 Uncover the crazed and illustrious mind of the original symbiote anti-hero in this lavishly presented collection of Venom's most heroic, villainous, and somewhat killer moments from his comic book history. In this book, you'll get in to the mind - or minds - of Venom: eat, save, kill, repeat! Hero or villain? Psychotic or vulnerable? Does anything make sense to a ravenous symbiote from outer space?! Witness the fears, the loves, the scruples, and the pure hunger that drives the popular anti-hero with a look at his favourite moments, best friends, worst enemies, epic comic action, and awesome cover art! It's everything you need to know about your new-favourite anti-hero. Is that the sound of a sonic wave bursting from the page? No, it's the Philosophy of Venom! |
heroes and philosophy: The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours Gregory Nagy, 2020-01-10 The ancient Greeks’ concept of “the hero” was very different from what we understand by the term today. In 24 installments, based on the Harvard course Nagy has taught and refined since the 1970s, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours explores civilization’s roots in Classical literature—a lineage that continues to challenge and inspire us. |
heroes and philosophy: Homer's Hero Michelle M. Kundmueller, 2019-10-01 Offering a new, Plato-inspired reading of the Iliad and the Odyssey, this book traces the divergent consequences of love of honor and love of one's own private life for human excellence, justice, and politics. Analyzing Homer's intricate character portraits, Michelle M. Kundmueller concludes that the poet shows that the excellence or virtue to which humans incline depends on what they love most. Ajax's character demonstrates that human beings who seek honor strive, perhaps above all, to display their courage in battle, while Agamemnon's shows that the love of honor ultimately undermines the potential for moderation, destabilizing political order. In contrast to these portraits, the excellence that Homer links to the love of one's own, such as by Odysseus and his wife, Penelope, fosters moderation and employs speech to resolve conflict. It is Odysseus, rather than Achilles, who is the pinnacle of heroic excellence. Homer's portrait of humanity reveals the value of love of one's own as the better, albeit still incomplete, precursor to a just political order. Kundmueller brings her reading of Homer to bear on contemporary tensions between private life and the pursuit of public honor, arguing that individual desires continue to shape human excellence and our prospects for justice. |
heroes and philosophy: Objectivism In One Lesson Andrew Bernstein, 2008-09-12 For the millions of readers who love Ayn Rand's novels and who Seek to understand her revolutionary philosophy of Objectivism, there has not been available a simple and concise introduction to her thought, Objectivism in One Lesson is that book. In layman's terms, using vivid examples, Andrew Bernstein clearly explains the brilliant ideas that animate the Conflict and characters of Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged.--BOOK JACKET. |
heroes and philosophy: The Hero Code Admiral William H. McRaven, 2021-04-13 AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! From the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed—a short, inspirational book about the qualities of true, everyday heroes. THE HERO CODE is Admiral McRaven's ringing tribute to the real, everyday heroes he's met over the years, from battlefields to hospitals to college campuses, who are doing their part to save the world. When Bill McRaven was a young boy growing up in Texas, he dreamed of being a superhero. He longed to put on a cape and use his superpowers to save the earth from destruction. But as he grew older and traveled the world, he found real heroes everywhere he went -- and none of them had superpowers. None of them wore capes or cowls. But they all possessed qualities that gave them the power to help others, to make a difference, to save the world: courage, both physical and moral; humility; a willingness to sacrifice; and a deep sense of integrity. THE HERO CODE is not a cypher, a puzzle, or a secret message. It is a code of conduct; lessons in virtues that can become the foundations of our character as we build a life worthy of honor and respect. |
heroes and philosophy: Untangling Heroism Ari Kohen, 2013-10-15 The idea of heroism has become thoroughly muddled today. In contemporary society, any behavior that seems distinctly difficult or unusually impressive is classified as heroic: everyone from firefighters to foster fathers to freedom fighters are our heroes. But what motivates these people to act heroically and what prevents other people from being heroes? In our culture today, what makes one sort of hero appear more heroic than another sort? In order to answer these questions, Ari Kohen turns to classical conceptions of the hero to explain the confusion and to highlight the ways in which distinct heroic categories can be useful at different times. Untangling Heroism argues for the existence of three categories of heroism that can be traced back to the earliest Western literature – the epic poetry of Homer and the dialogues of Plato – and that are complex enough to resonate with us and assist us in thinking about heroism today. Kohen carefully examines the Homeric heroes Achilles and Odysseus and Plato’s Socrates, and then compares the three to each other. He makes clear how and why it is that the other-regarding hero, Socrates, supplanted the battlefield hero, Achilles, and the suffering hero, Odysseus. Finally, he explores in detail four cases of contemporary heroism that highlight Plato’s success. Kohen states that in a post-Socratic world, we have chosen to place a premium on heroes who make other-regarding choices over self-interested ones. He argues that when humans face the fact of their mortality, they are able to think most clearly about the sort of life they want to have lived, and only in doing that does heroic action become a possibility. Kohen’s careful analysis and rethinking of the heroism concept will be relevant to scholars across the disciplines of political science, philosophy, literature, and classics. |
heroes and philosophy: The Great Book of Black Heroes Bill O'Neill, 2021-01-22 The world is full of many great black men and women who changed the course of history. Because of their contributions, these men and women are rightfully considered heroes by not just black people around the world, but people of all backgrounds. In The Great Book of Black Heroes: Thirty Black Men and Women Who Have Impacted History, you'll learn about thirty of the greatest black heroes and heroines from three different continents over a span of more than 2,500 years of history. The definition of hero in this book is any person who influenced a great number of people and often continues to long after his or her death. Heroes can be politicians, activists, philosophers, warriors, artists, or musicians, but most of all they are inspiring!In The Great Book of Black Heroes, you'll learn the answers to the following questions: ?How did Nelson Mandela transform from a bitter fighter to a leader who promoted reconciliation? ?Where was the kingdom of Axum and how did one of its kings protect early Christians? ?How did B.B. King get his start and become the King of the Blues??Who was the last emperor of Ethiopia and who was one of the first??Why did so many of these heroes and heroines have to rise above innumerable challenges? And so much more! This book is filled with a plethora of facts about some of the most fascinating and impactful black men and women in world history. But keep in mind that this is so much more than a boring history book, it's meant to keep you engaged and entertained as much as it will educate you. With that said, this book is guaranteed to edify and entertain you!Whether you have a passing interest in history, are distantly related to one of the heroes or heroines, or just want something fascinating to read, you can't go wrong with The Great Book of Black Heroes. |
Hots 3.0 returning for Blizzcon 2026? - General Discussion - H…
Mar 11, 2025 · So Blizz just announced that Blizzcon 2025 won’t happen, but Blizzcon 2026 is confirmed. Check out the short trailer: BlizzCon 2026 …
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For problems installing or patching the Heroes, connecting to the game, or crashing during gameplay. 3448.
Blood of Heroes - Season of Discovery - World of Warcraft …
Apr 19, 2025 · I need to enchant a whole guild with the new enchants which use the Blood of heroes, its stupid that i have to go and get the …
Overwatch Hero Release Timeline
Jul 29, 2024 · More than a few times now I’ve seen people making claims about when certain heroes were added to the game, or reworked into …
Heroes' Birthdays & Ages Are Now Official - Overwatch Foru…
Sep 7, 2023 · On the OW website, you can now see the individual heroes’ birthdays and ages. Ana - Jan 1 (Age 62) Sojourn - Jan 12 (age 47) Soldier - Jan …
Hots 3.0 returning for Blizzcon 2026? - General Discussion
Mar 11, 2025 · So Blizz just announced that Blizzcon 2025 won’t happen, but Blizzcon 2026 is confirmed. Check out the short trailer: BlizzCon 2026 Trailer - Youtube While there is no …
Heroes of the Storm Forums
For problems installing or patching the Heroes, connecting to the game, or crashing during gameplay. 3448.
Blood of Heroes - Season of Discovery - World of Warcraft Forums
Apr 19, 2025 · I need to enchant a whole guild with the new enchants which use the Blood of heroes, its stupid that i have to go and get the materials for my whole guild, I also need it for …
Overwatch Hero Release Timeline
Jul 29, 2024 · More than a few times now I’ve seen people making claims about when certain heroes were added to the game, or reworked into another role, and being off by several …
Heroes' Birthdays & Ages Are Now Official - Overwatch Forums
Sep 7, 2023 · On the OW website, you can now see the individual heroes’ birthdays and ages. Ana - Jan 1 (Age 62) Sojourn - Jan 12 (age 47) Soldier - Jan 27 (age 58) Echo - Feb 5 (age …
Predict most banned hero on each role - General Discussion
Apr 21, 2025 · In a general patch where no particular heroes are unusually strong Tank - probably zarya. Low rank stomper, all rank annoyance, hardcounters the most popular tank in the …
Under appreciated heroes - General Discussion - Overwatch Forums
May 4, 2025 · Thought I’d just talk about a few heroes that I personally really like and think are great additions to the game, but that seemingly don’t get a whole lot of love from the …
Why was there no cross-promo event for Heroes of the Storm 10 …
Jun 8, 2025 · Heroes of the Storm — Blizzard News Read the latest on new Heroes, in-game events, and other Heroes of the Storm news! We did get new Thrall skin for the anniversary …
Are hyper mobile heroes the problem? - General Discussion
May 14, 2025 · I’ve noticed that highly mobile heroes in Overwatch tend to receive the most complaints. Take Sombra, for example—her stealth lets her engage easily, and her …
General Discussion - Heroes of the Storm Forums
May 30, 2025 · Discuss all things Heroes of the Storm with fellow players.