Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing

Rating:
Summary: A Great Balance of Fun and Philosophy
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book
Review: Seinfeld and Philosophy is a book with an interesting premise: it examines various philosophical issues raised by the phenomenally popular sitcom Seinfeld. The conceit is to examine the show that examined the minutia, the trivia of everyday life and to analyze certain aspects of the show from a philosophical standpoint. Thus, those of us who like both subjects have William Irwin to thank for this book, which is essentially a collection of essays from contemporary philosophers about Seinfeld.

The book includes 14 essays, organized into four "acts", most of which are good. The first act centers mostly on the primary characters. There is one for each main character. Jerry is compared to Socrates and George to a "Virtueless man" of Aristotle. The weakest essay, perhaps, is the one examining if Elaine is a feminist. The strongest essay concerns Kramer and Soren Kierkegaard's Asthetic Stage of Life. Although I am not entirely familiar with the man's work, the essay lays out the central principles of Kierkegaard's theory and ties it all together perfectly. Act II contains specific analogies between Seinfeld and the work of Nietzsche, Sartre, Lao Tzu, and Wittgenstein. Act III has a fascinating essay on George's choice to do "the opposite", another on Peterman and reality in the media, and a weak essay on the "significance of the insignificant" which purports to know the secret of Seinfeld's humor but never tells it. The final act tackles the moral and ethical backgrounds of the four and also examines whether the law used to convict the four (the Good Samaritan Law) deserved to be on the books.

Any Seinfeld fan will appreciate this wonderful book, even if they have no philosophical background. The book allows fans to look at their show at a different angle. Similarly, fans of philosophy will not be disappointed. Most of the major philosophical figures of history are covered here, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Lao Tzu and a smattering of Eastern philosophy, Nietzsche, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Kant and others. This is basically an appetizer plate for those who like Seinfeld have an interest in philosophy and but don't know where to start. This is worth buying for the more bookish variety of Seinfeld fans.

Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Book for the Seinfeld Fan
Review: Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book About Everything and Nothing is an excellent book for any Seinfeld fan, and any philosopher, amateur or professional interested in a philosophical analysis of a pop-culture phenomenon. For anyone who has ever thought there to be something deeper to Seinfeld, easily among the most popular sitcoms of the 90s, this book articulates those seemingly intangible qualities that made it so popular and so special.

At times tedious, it hosts a great number of excellent discussions. Organized first into four sections, analyzing each character through certain philsopher, then conversely explaining certain philosophers and their works through the characters, then discussing a certain philosophical issue raised by the show, and finally the last section, devoted to ethics, morality and considerations of what is acceptable or unacceptable. My particular interest in philosophy is ethics, and the final section does no injustice to either the contemplative ethicist, nor the rabid Seinfeld fan, and all who fall in-between.

Overall, this book was very well-written. As a side note, take the time to read the footnotes where applicable. Many of them raise other points which may be of interest to the reader. For the sitcom fan, the thoughtful philosopher, and anyone with an interest in either or both, this book is a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Much more academic than you're expecting
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The Philosphy of Yadda
Review: 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?

Rating:
Summary: Fun Introduction to Philosophy
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Philosophically Rich and Entertaining.
Review: This book is a fun introduction to important philosophical problems. It is very accessible. This book will be appreciated by anyone who has always wondered what philosophy is but who has been put off by the belief that philosophy is too dense to be entertaining. This book is entertaining as well as philosophically rich. If you are a person whose interest is piqued by the idea of philosophy, or you are a Seinfeld fan, or you are both, or neither, you will get something valuable out of this collection. If you fancy youself an intellectual, and therefore are interested in everything, or you are a Seinfeld fan, and therefore are interested in nothing, or you are both an intellectual and a Seinfeld fan, and therefore are interested in everything and nothing, this book is for you. I enjoyed it very much.

Rating:
Summary: yadda yadda yadda
Review: This book is good to that people that has nothing to think about, nothing to worry about and know nothing about philosophy

Rating:
Summary: philosophy for american people
Review: this is one of the most disgusting things I have already seen. It's really cheap philosophy. This has no value, it won't change anything in the life of people that read it. Why shall we do philosophy. We can just watch TV

Rating:
Summary: I can't believe, it's just a sitcom
Review: This is one of the most stupid books I ever read. I like Seinfeld, but it isn't so deep. The opinions expressed in this book are terrible, really bad philosophy (done to teenagers or to people that think like teenagers during all their lifetime). This guys are looking for some fame and money. They could have written about astrology, life after death... pure mistification