Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing

Rating:
Summary: Because It's On TV
Review: Watching television is a waste of time. Reading about watching television is less of a waste of time, maybe. But what about writing about watching television? There is an entire genre of academic writing now that treats TV shows as if they are worthy of analysis and even of deconstruction. In the past year I have read books about Gilligan's Island, the Simpsons, the Avengers and other spy shows, and now Seinfeld. Although the authors, usually university professors, treat their subjects seriously, they also seem to be having fun. This is the case with Seinfeld and Philosophy.

All the contributors to this volume are fans of Seinfeld and sprinkle in catch phrases from the shows here and there. They are also scholars of philosophy who can toss off references to Kierkegaard and Wittgenstein at will. As a reader with a tenuous grasp of philosophical teachings, I cannot evaluate the academic value of these essays. However, I did notice that several Seinfeld episodes were worthy of multiple comments by these professors. They seemed especially fascinated with the episode in which George decides to do the opposite of what he normally does. They also liked the Bizarro episode, in which Elaine befriends a group of friends who are the opposite of Jerry, George, and Kramer. Are philosophy professors just obsessed with contrary behavior or is there some deeper meaning here? I suppose we'll have to wait for a book on Seinfeld and Psychology for the answer to that.

Sarah Worth's essay on whether Elaine is a feminist or not is curious. Worth acknowledges that Elaine is the most stable, career-wise, of the gang (aside from Newman). She dates on her own terms and is treated as an equal by the rest of the characters. While Elaine confesses at one point that she would like to get married, I don't think that can eliminate her from the feminist category. And yet, Worth decides that Elaine is not a feminist, because she is too immoral and unethical. Elaine has too many boyfriends, is self-centered, and doesn't want to have children. While the professor might not admire Elaine, or want to be her friend, she should acknowledge that Elaine is a feminist. Not that there's anything wrong with that.



Rating:
Summary: It's not a coffee table book, but Kramer loves it!
Review: With Seinfeld and Philosophy you too can become "master of your philosophical domain"! In other words, this is truly "A Book about Everything and Nothing," as its subtitle suggests. The book is for those who are steeped in Seinfeld, schooled in philosophy, or both . . . or even neither--"not that there's anything wrong with that." I hope that Seinfeld and Philosophy is a book every Seinfeld fan will "need" to have and that it will also be a painless, and maybe even enlighetning, introduction to, or refresher course in, philosophy. Seinfeld and Philosophy features humorous and insightful essays by professional philosophers and amateur Seinfeld scholars. Some of the contributors, such as Jorge J.E. Gracia, are well-established philosophers, while most are people you have never heard of, like me, BILL IRWIN. Perhaps now you'll know and remember my name, but probably not. Don't try to apologize. "You can stuff your sorries in a sack . . . it's an expression." You may ask yourself, how did he come up with such a BRILLIANT IDEA for a book? Or maybe you're just wondering what institution I escaped from. Either way, I feel compelled to give credit to those who inspired me and helped develop the ideas for this book: Marx, Sartre, Lomez, Sacamano, and Vera Peterson. Also, let me mention Old Dirty Schmidty, The Great Guldna, Mark the Steppenwolf, and Aeon--who can't seem to unglue himself from Glamour magazine. In closing I would just like to say, in the words of Socrates, that the unexamined life is not worth living, yada yada yada.

Rating:
Summary: A Smart, Fun Read
Review: Wow! I'm not a philosophy aficionado but I think I'm on my way to becoming one after reading this book. It blew me away... it was entertaining, clever and really whetted my appetite for learning more about philosophy. It also helped satisfy the void that was left when Seinfeld went off the air. I hope the authors will be inspired to write more such books (meanwhile I fully intend to check out the philosophy section in the bookstore). I highly recommend this book to anyone who loved Seinfeld, or is interested in learning more about philosophy or is just interested in learning, period. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: giddyup- a book for everyone
Review: You dont have to like seinfeld to enjoy this book. You dont have to like philosopy to enjoy this book. This compilation of 14 essays, all of which are thoroughly completed by experienced philosophy professors, is a rare documentary that will intrigue anybody. The essays explain, in great detail, the deal with the seinfeld, and the components of philosophy. The novel uses textual examples from seinfeld (most of which are very funny), and insightful text from a wide range of philosophers. Furthermore what makes the work so pleasing is that the complex philosophy that seinfeld is linked to is explained very simply so that the most inexperienced of philosophy students, but still the most qualified seinfeld expert will be entertained. And vice versa. So even though Jerry doesnt read as much as his counterpart Kevin (The Bizarro Jerry), do not be discouraged form reading this wonderful commentary.