Reddit mentions of Supervillains and Philosophy: Sometimes, Evil is its Own Reward (Popular Culture and Philosophy (42))

I've had a lot of long conversations about this, and it really seems to come down to one interesting and important point: the supervillain is the most important role in the relationship and the best ones are those whose motives and goals are heroic but methods are not. Many others have already pointed out something like this, and we're all right. Flawed heroes who do what they can for others (because they can) tend to be the best because they're the most relatable. Best hero? Batman. Best villain? Magneto. They exemplify precisely the traits that make villains and heroes interesting.

My wife actually suggested a book focusing on supervillains to a friend of mine and it ended up working out. I was able to write a chapter on Magneto (of course) and she's still bitter she didn't get a mention in the acknowledgments for suggesting it, but it's a fun read if you're interested (I have no financial stake in your buying or reading this): https://www.amazon.com/Supervillains-Philosophy-Sometimes-Popular-Culture/dp/0812696697

Suggested reading materials for compiling your course:


http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Philosophy-Astonishing-Argument-Blackwell/dp/0470413409

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Philosophy-Knight-Blackwell-Culture/dp/0470270306

http://www.amazon.com/The-Avengers-Philosophy-Mightiest-Blackwell/dp/1118074572/ref=pd_sim_b_4/178-6318707-9774312

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-Philosophy-Reality-Blackwell/dp/0470482184/ref=pd_sim_b_3/178-6318707-9774312

http://www.amazon.com/Watchmen-Philosophy-Rorschach-Blackwell-Culture/dp/0470396857/ref=pd_sim_b_8

http://www.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Philosophy-Inquiry-Blackwell-Culture/dp/0470575603/ref=pd_sim_b_9

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-Philosophy-Blackwell-Culture/dp/0470575573/ref=pd_sim_b_13

http://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Philosophy-Justice-Socratic-Popular/dp/0812695739

http://www.amazon.com/Supervillains-Philosophy-Sometimes-Popular-Culture/dp/0812696697/ref=pd_sim_b_7

http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychology-Superheroes-Unauthorized-Exploration/dp/1933771313/ref=pd_sim_b_12