Rating: 
Summary: Missing The Point
Review: As a rabid Simpsons fan, this book was more annoying than anything else. I only read 2 chapters, and that was all I could take. The authors' points and analysis are correct and valid, but to look at the Simpsons in such an analytical way is, in my opinion, missing the point and sucking all the fun out of the show. I knew this was not going to be a humorous Simpsons book, but I was unprepared for the dry and hyper-analytical nature of the material. One of the chapters analyzes Homer's character based on many things he says and does. I do not believe that the show's creators think about the show that way. Sometimes the things Homer says are put in there simply to be funny or irreverent, not to further a specific moral or ethical point of view or to further Homer's character development. Another chapter analyzes an episode and attempts to determine if it is popular parody or art parody. Who cares? It's just funny! If you enjoy the show as a funny and irreverent commentary/attack on popular culture and trends, you will not enjoy this book. I agree with another reviewer that this book is simply capitalizing on the popularity of the show. To analyze the show to this degree (any probably to any degree) misses the point and removes the enjoyment most viewers get from the show. As Matt Groening himself said, "The only cartoon character you should take advice from is McGruff the crime dog."
Rating: 
Summary: Simpson, ehh? Another fun compilation by Irwin and Company
Review: Bill Irwin's first collection, _Seinfeld and Philosophy_ was a well put-together set of musings about philosophy regarding the best sit-com ever. This latest compilation ruminates over the best animated series ever. I have been an avid fan of "The Simpsons" since its inception, and a practicing philosopher for the past 4 years. I found this book to be thought-provoking and entertaining. You're not going to find significant philosophical breakthroughs in this book, and you won't find deep insights by watching "The Simpsons," but as a companion to the show, this book will shed new light on the characters and situations found throughout the series. Mostly, I would recommend this book to anyone taking a first-year philosophy course who wants to see how philosophy can make fun things more profound, and profound things more fun. Yes, there is fun to be had in serious academia -- it should not all be dry and boring. Irwin has collected a number of papers that make for philosophical fun for all.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful
Review: Ever think of Bart Simpson as a Heideggerian thinker? Ever wonder which Simpsons cast member is the most moral? Ever ponder what to make of the religious characters in Springfield? After reading The Simpsons and Philosophy, these ideas will certainly spring to mind the next time you catch a new episode or rerun of The Simpsons! Many Americans regard the popularity of the long-running hit animated series, The Simpsons, as evidence of the demise of American values and intellectualism. This collection of philosophical essays about Springfield proves that not only is this view incorrect, but perhaps narrow-minded as well. The Simpsons is not a cartoon for children, but rather a satire of society in general. The authors choose topics that arise from various episodes of the series, and use these stories to elucidate important philosophical concepts for the reader. My favorite essay concerns Lisa Simpson, and the contrasts between her portrayals of an intellectual but still a little girl. The essay helped me understand better the concept of intellectualism in American society, and also Lisa's role on the show. Overall, this book is a humorous, off-kilter look at what is perhaps the funniest (and maybe even most intellectual!) show on television today.
Rating:
Summary: The Simpsons get their due!
Review: Excellent collection of essays on the philosophical underpinnings and implications of The Simpsons that manages to be both serious and amusing at the same time and gives equal respect to both sides of both subjects. Fully annotated and footnoted to individual episodes and appended with an episode guide through spring 2001.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: For any fan of The Simpsons, even mildly interested in philosophy, this is a must buy. Be warned though, it is not solely about punch-lines and descriptions for which to live vicariously through once more. Although often cited and referenced, the jokes of the show are not the issue. The issue being addressed, to oversimplify and generalize, is how The Simpsons can illustrate various ideas of a philosophical nature. Don't be thrown off into simply dismissing it as the foolish fare of the masses. This is serious philosophy, but grounded in the Simpsons in order to enhance the reader's appreciation of it, and to make it more enjoyable. For those of you, like myself, who are interested in philosophy, yet with little of a philosophical background, this book can at times seem abstract and hard to follow. But, bear with it! By the end of the essay, the point has been clarified, and you can walk away with the ability to articulate briefly what has been discussed. And above all, it's just good fun. It's enlightening, yes, and that enhances it, but it's also a great read that pulls you into it and has you fully engrossed, leaving you wanting more by the end. I recommend it to Simpsons fans with at least an openness to or moderate interest in philosophy, and philosophy readers with a desire for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: First 3/4 of the book is good.
Review: For the most part this is a very entertaining book. The first 3/4 of the book is very good the last fouth is boring and should be in a text book not a book like this one. Its worth the money but don't expect the best book you have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Are the Simpons Philosophers?
Review: Homer as the wise old man? On what planet? The concept of a book of philosophy centered on the Simpsons may seem implausible - on a good day, but this collections of Essays describing how we can apply philosphy to the Simpons actually is quite good. In a series of essays discussing Aristole to Nietzshe, we learn how talented writers can take the material they have and use it for a useful learning experience. If you know nothing, or very little, about Socrates or Plato, is it because they don't have anything interesting or useful to say? I say no. If they had no use, they wouldn't have been read and discussed all these years. The problem is teacher teach these subjects like it was still 1500 years B.C. Enter this book. Using a popular and funny show the writers can discuss how different philosophies apply. Some of the articles, including the first one, are probably as funny as the show. Others, well the quality varies. Still, if you would like to have a little more insight into how some of this philosphers think, and and excuse to read more about the Simpsons, this book is for you. Entertaining and Educations, with the emphasis on educational, The Simpons and Philosophy is an interest diversion and overall, a good buy.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing Simpsons Cash-In
Review: I am a huge fan of the Simpsons, and had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it falls far short of my expectations. Slogging through the essays soon became a painful experience. As an 11th grade AP English student, if I turned in essays of the caliber of the essays contained within this book, there is no way that I would pass the class. The writing of The Simpsons and Philosophy is extremely amateurish, with mistakes that every decent high school writer could avoid with ease. In just one essay, by Deborah Knight, called Popular Parody: The Simpsons Meets the Crime Film, the author begins a paragraph with "You will remember how this episode goes." She then continues spends an entire 3 paragraphs summarizing the episode! Of course I remember how this episode goes, and I'm willing to bet that anyone that would spend [money] on a book about The Simpsons and philosophy has seen every episode. Simpsons fans are an obsessive bunch, and the authors, while no doubt intelligent, are obviously not true fans and do not understand the show. The summarization itself would not have been a huge problem, but there was not a single witty or clever idea interwoven into the bland retelling. From the same essay, the author writes "I probably don't have to spell out that this cereal exploits the name given to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassic.." You probably don't have to, but you did it anyway. ..Why? The essay contains amateurish mistakes such as starting sentences with "I think.." Obviously the author "thinks" this way or it wouldn't be an argument in her essay.. While seemingly simple mistakes, they begin adding up fast and detracting from the overall feel of the book. The essay by Mrs. Knight is just an example that I read soon before writing this review. All of the essays in the book contain similar mistakes. Another problem I had with the book was its lack of substance. Often, an essay would consist of little more than vague references to episodes or a general summarization, and then the author would drift off into a lengthy philosophical tangent. This wouldn't be a problem, except that very rarely does the book actually TIE IN the Simpsons TO philosophy. It discusses the two separately without making any astounding or insightful connections. Because I think relating philosophy and The Simpsons is a great idea, I have to give it 2 stars. However, I feel that in general the essays are poorly written, and have a "high-school" feel to them. Not a positive characteristic for a published book. As much as I want this book to be good, I can not in good conscience recommend it to anyone. I find it offensive that the authors are cashing in on The Simpson name. But hey, they got my money...
Rating:
Summary: Dont be fooled by the title
Review: I bought this book expecting a light hearted read. Being an avid fan of the Simpsons, I was keen to study the characters from a tongue in cheek, philosophical perspective... However, what you actually get with this book is a series of philosophical essays that reference the Simpsons' characters occasionally in order to relate the subject matter to the average reader, and to stop their mind from wandering. In summary, if you want to learn a little about philosophy without weighing in at the deep end, then this is the book for you. If you are picking up this book because you are a fan of the series or want to learn more about the Simpsons, dig a little deeper.
Rating:
Summary: In a breathy voice....excellent...!
Review: I don't usually write reviews (OK never), but I read this book and it killed me. Some of it was just plain bad; I got the feeling that the editor didn't have the heart to tell his pals/authors that just because they're philosophers doesn't mean they're writers. A couple of the essays sounded like bad undergraduate term paper writing. But I strongly recommend this book, because the parts that are good are REALLY good. The best part is an absolutely killer essay about Mr. Burns by a guy named Daniel Barwick (why are there no author pics?), and the essay is both funny AND informative. I admit to being a Burns junkie, but jesus Barwick has him pegged! I saw that Barwick wrote in the editor's previous book, and now I know why. Anyway, I'll stop writing and say that if you like the Simpsons and you don't mind reading the work of amateur writers (but professional philosophers) this book is for you.
| 
