Edited by James B. South
This collection of thoughtful essays seeks to extrapolate some of the deep, intrinsic philosophical elements from the first six seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and present them together in a well-constructed, thoughtful, and full volume. For the most part, James B. South has assembled a solid collection of essays that comment on various different aspects of the beloved cult show, and although there can be some repetition of themes between different essays, the fact that there are some points of conflict only serves to strengthen the collection and, in turn, reflect positively on the complex nature of the show. Most striking is the volume's final essay, "Feeling for Buffy: The Girl Next Door," by Michael P. Levine and Steven Jay Schneider, which seeks to undermine Buffy scholarship first (somewhat successfully) by arguing that critics take it far too seriously; they then, however, apply an overwrought Freudian analysis to the show and destroy their own low-key, non-academic credibility, falling prey to the same narrow academic focus that draws their ire. South's decision to place this essay at the end of the collection is, I believe, a thoughtful and good one, but the work itself disappoints in its latter half and makes the whole thing go out with a whimper instead of the intended, and quite achievable (and appropriate, given Whedon & co.'s tendency to undermine everything) bang.
Other essays, however, fulfill their purposes more effectively, though many simply fit Buffy narratives into greater philosophical frameworks, using the show to illustrate philosophical principles rather than examining the philosophy of the show. One of the best essays is the first, "Faith and Plato" by Greg Forster, which provides an overview of different philosophical principles evident throughout Buffy. Along with familiar explorations of Buffy as a feminist icon and, more importantly, as a woman, the collection includes essays about the treatment of religion and science within the Buffyverse. Most illuminating, however, are the essays that stretch the lessons of Buffy and project them onto pressing moral issues. "'My God, It's Like a Greek Tragedy,'" by James B. South, successfully explores the ways in which Willow's story arcs, which disappoint so many fans of the show, illustrate a very real phenomenon and perhaps hit closer to home than viewers would like to acknowledge. Also exceptionally strong is "Justifying the Means: Punishment in the Buffyverse," wherein Jacob M. Held uses the show to argue for a utilitarian view of punishment, where punishment is meted out to produce the best overall results for society.
This essay is a good example of using Buffy as an exemplar of philosophical principles, but though interesting is far outstripped by Jason Kawal's "Should We Do What Buffy Would Do?," which uses the show to build an interesting argument about the utility of moral exemplars, let alone Buffy Summers as a specific example. Likewise seeming to undermine a bit of the mysticism ascribed to the show by Whedon worshipers is Neal King's "Brownskirts," which paints a picture of a Buffyverse not so far away from fascism. These essays are merely the highlights in a solid collection that is accessible to newcomers to philosophy and which contains respectable arguments and well-written prose throughout. The main drawback of the collection is the fact that it only covers seasons 1-6; there are a few essays where examination of season 7 would have added quite a bit to the discussion (particularly the essays on feminism and sharing the female spirit). Blame, however, cannot be placed upon the authors for this and the collection is nevertheless a good and varied testament to the merits and depth of the show. Unabashedly taking difficult subjects head on and including essays that differ in perspective and conclusions, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy offers thoughtful and enjoyable philosophical insights into the Buffyverse and our own world.
Grade: A-
Other essays, however, fulfill their purposes more effectively, though many simply fit Buffy narratives into greater philosophical frameworks, using the show to illustrate philosophical principles rather than examining the philosophy of the show. One of the best essays is the first, "Faith and Plato" by Greg Forster, which provides an overview of different philosophical principles evident throughout Buffy. Along with familiar explorations of Buffy as a feminist icon and, more importantly, as a woman, the collection includes essays about the treatment of religion and science within the Buffyverse. Most illuminating, however, are the essays that stretch the lessons of Buffy and project them onto pressing moral issues. "'My God, It's Like a Greek Tragedy,'" by James B. South, successfully explores the ways in which Willow's story arcs, which disappoint so many fans of the show, illustrate a very real phenomenon and perhaps hit closer to home than viewers would like to acknowledge. Also exceptionally strong is "Justifying the Means: Punishment in the Buffyverse," wherein Jacob M. Held uses the show to argue for a utilitarian view of punishment, where punishment is meted out to produce the best overall results for society.
This essay is a good example of using Buffy as an exemplar of philosophical principles, but though interesting is far outstripped by Jason Kawal's "Should We Do What Buffy Would Do?," which uses the show to build an interesting argument about the utility of moral exemplars, let alone Buffy Summers as a specific example. Likewise seeming to undermine a bit of the mysticism ascribed to the show by Whedon worshipers is Neal King's "Brownskirts," which paints a picture of a Buffyverse not so far away from fascism. These essays are merely the highlights in a solid collection that is accessible to newcomers to philosophy and which contains respectable arguments and well-written prose throughout. The main drawback of the collection is the fact that it only covers seasons 1-6; there are a few essays where examination of season 7 would have added quite a bit to the discussion (particularly the essays on feminism and sharing the female spirit). Blame, however, cannot be placed upon the authors for this and the collection is nevertheless a good and varied testament to the merits and depth of the show. Unabashedly taking difficult subjects head on and including essays that differ in perspective and conclusions, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy offers thoughtful and enjoyable philosophical insights into the Buffyverse and our own world.
Grade: A-
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