Family Guy and Philosophy - Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture by J Jeremy Wisnewski Paperback

About the Book

This unique book brings together low-brow, potty-mouthed, cartoon humor and high-brow philosophical reflection to deliver an outrageously smart and entertaining exploration of one of TVs most unrelenting families.

Book Synopsis

Family Guy and Philosophy brings together low-brow, potty-mouthed, cartoon humor and high-brow philosophical reflection to deliver an outrageously hilarious and clever exploration of one of TV's most unrelenting families. Ok, it's not that high-brow.

• A sharp, witty and absurd exploration of one of television's most unrelenting families, the stars of one of the biggest-selling TV series ever on DVD, now in its fourth season
• Tackles the perennial positions of Family Guy at the same time as contemplating poignant philosophical issues
• Takes an introspective look at what this show can teach us about ethics, ego, religion, death, and of course, time-travel
• Considers whether Family Guy is really a vehicle for conservative politics, and whether we should be offended by the show, as well as diving into the philosophy of the cast

From the Back Cover

That's right. We've done it. We've brought together lowbrow, potty-mouthed, cartoon humor and highbrow philosophical reflection. Ok, it's not that highbrow, but the results are outrageously delicious. In Family Guy and Philosophy we tackle the perennial positions of the show and contemplate a little philosophy to boot!

Is Family Guy really a vehicle for conservative politics? What's so funny about dysfunctional families? Should we all be offended by the show? This book gathers original essays from premier philosophers to get behind the punchlines and find out what we're really laughing at. And of course we dive into the philosophy of the cast as well, asking the important questions, like: What the hell is wrong with Stewie? Who is more human, Peter or Brian? Is Lois a feminist? Is there anything virtuous about Quagmire?

Family Guy and Philosophy takes an introspective look at what this show can teach us about the ego, ethics, religion, death, and of course, time-travel, and delivers a merciless exploration of one of TV's most unrelenting families.

Review Quotes

"Maddening in its irreverent audacity, this book reminds me of an old girlfriend: iconoclastic and argumentative, occasionally insane but always entertaining, with a soul of which Stewie could be proud. I couldn't pull myself away!"
Dave Baggett, editor of Harry Potter and Philosophy and Hitchcock and Philosophy

"This book doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever, which obviously means it's brilliant."
Joey Green, author of The Bathroom Professor: Philosophy on the Go

"Author cooks up a big bowl of philosophy stew while exposing the Family Guy for what it is; a beacon of post-modernism."
TLChicken.com

"It is a rare opportunity to philosophically deconstruct life's absurdities ... . We can laugh in the face of life's troublesome ideas and attempt to understand them." Associated Content

About the Author

J. Jeremy Wisnewski is Assistant Professor at Hartwick College. He is the author of Wittgenstein and Ethical Inquiry: A Defense of Ethics as Clarification (2007) and The Politics of Agency: Toward a Pragmatic Approach to Philosophical Anthropology (2008). He is also the editor of The Office and Philosophy (Blackwell, 2008).