Deadpool and Philosophy

Thanks to the recent film, more people than ever are aware of Deadpool, the gun-toting, fourth wall-breaking, regenerate degenerate Merc with a Mouth. But his conduct, his allegiances, and his very existence raise important philosophical questions. Is he a hero? Is he a good person? Is he a god? What can he tell us about human nature or reality itself?

Deadpool and Philosophy tackles all of these questions and more, putting the red-and-black pop culture vulture under the microscope. Although most of the philosophers included restrict their studies to the recent movie, others delve deeper, exploring Deadpool’s video game and numerous comic appearances.

As you might expect, the articles featured here are a bit more irreverent than your standard philosophical fare. Deadpool regularly interrupts, offering his own questions and comments and occasionally threatening the writers. Although this gag does get old after a while, it adds a certain spice to the book that other Popular Culture and Philosophy books have lacked.

I tell you, if they’d tried to teach me philosophy in school with Deadpool’s input, I would have retained a lot more info on Zeno, the Stoics, and more.