Abstract

This is an introductory chapter of Superman and Philosophy: What Would the Man of Steel Do?. Superman may not have been the first superhero, but ever since his introduction in Action Comics, he has been the model for every superhero to follow. He’s the ultimate hero who serves as an inspiration for the rest of the world’s costumed protectors and a few of its best philosophers. Many people struggle to identify with Superman, regarding him as too perfect, too noble, too good. These qualities just make him an ideal, though, not something to reject but something to aspire to. When we scratch the surface, we find Superman is not that simple. In fact, he raises a lot of intriguing philosophical questions. Superman and Philosophy addresses all these questions and more.