Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing

by William Irwin

Book Overview

Designed for philosophers as well as readers with no particular philosophical background, the essays in this lively book are grouped into four amusing acts. Act One looks at the four Seinfeld characters through a philosophical lens and includes Jerry and Socrates: The Examined Life? Act Two examines historical philosophers from a Seinfeldian standpoint and offers Plato or Nietzsche? Time, Essence, and Eternal Recurrence in Seinfeld. Act Three, Untimely...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812694090
• ISBN13: 9780812694093
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Open Court
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Much more academic than you're expecting

The authors may not appreciate my letting you in on the secret taht this book is quite a bit more scholarly than I gave it credit for being, before actually reading it. I was expecting something flimsy and silly and hollow, and am quite impressed to find a strong, well-written, eloquent, arguably even *important* collection of intellectual writings.If you've didn't watch much Seinfeld (that is, never saw it, or didnt see enough of it to know at least a few inside jokes), then you may have trouble appreciating what's here. But as an academic, who's probably seen every episode of the show at least once (given nearly a decade of reruns), I found it refreshing and alive.

Fun Introduction to Philosophy

This book attests to the profundity of Seinfeld, how it is an appropriate vehicle for teaching a philosphical analysis explaining why the Seinfeld characters never grow up, find meaning, and discover wisdom, all the while holding a mirror to our own society and being loveable and endearing at the same time. You learn about Aristotle's Ethics and Virture and why George, lacking these things, can never achieve happiness. This essay about George's incurable unhappiness is the best of the bunch and worth the price of the whole book. In this anthology, I came across about six solid essays that highlighted Seinfeld's best attributes through the use of philosophy.

A Great Balance of Fun and Philosophy

Most academic treatments of popular culture either take their subject matter way too seriously or dumb down anything of substance they have to say. So I was skeptical about Seinfeld and Philosphy. Having read it, however, I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only do the contributors to this book really know their Seinfeld, but they manage not to take the show or themselves too seriously. In addition they manage to raise and discuss some interesting and important philosophical issues. They make an intriguing, though not totally convincing case that the show deals with ethical issues. The book's concluding essay sheds light on and brings new interest to the disappointing final episode by examinng the moral and legal issues involved in good samaritan laws. Other important philosophical issues discussed are the nature of feminism, (is Elaine a feminist?)the author doesn't think so, but I beg to differ. The nature of comedy in general and the secret of Seinfeld's humor, in particular and marxism vs. capitalism (taking its cue from J. Peterman). My favorite essay was Jason Holt's "The Costanza Maneuver: Is it Rational for George to do the Opposite?" Holt takes some of the fun out of George's new approach to life, but his arguments are tough to deny.

The Philosphy of Yadda

There was a time when I actually hated the show. That,however, was before I watched it. I was hooked fast, and still miss it-- re-runs can only do so much for you.I think that a large part of the reason I loved Seinfeld was that I instantly recognized that the base tenents for the program were the stupidities of everyday life. That is not to say that life is stupid (but boy, can it be), but that things just seem to happen because they happen.Existentialism? It was the same deal for me with philosophy. I hated it 'till I took it in college, and then found out I enjoyed it very much. But philosophy, like lots of subjects, is one of those things you tend to stray from when a grade isn't riding on it. "Seinfeld and Philosophy," takes an academic (that means disjointed) subject and makes it real by showing the underlying reasons the show really was funny. The essays in the book are really fun, and how can one resist "Peterman and the Ideological Mind?" Plato, Nietzsche, Sartre (No Exit or what?) an essay called "George's Failed Quest for Happiness" that was probably my favorite one. This book is a delightful read. My only real critisism: they didn't publish a version that turns into a coffee table! But I think that has been done before.Now, if only the author would do a volume devoted only to Neuman -- what about it, Professor Irwin?

What A Great Idea!

It was my curiosity about the concept of such a book that initially led me to purchase this book. Being such a big fan of the show, I immediately saw a connection. Seinfeld is an excellent case study for philosophy. You could do a whole book on George alone. Like most case studies though, it is tough to find a 100% match to the underlying theories and models, but book does a great job in using the TV show to understand the wide range of philosophical topics discussed, and its a relatively easy read. My knowledge of philosophy is limitted to a couple of courses required in college many moons ago. Overall, I was delighted with the opprtunity the book provided me to refresh and re-discover philosophy.