“Show them
their possibilities, but never choose their path for them. They must advance on
their own, find their own way, make their own mistakes, conquer their fears and
hatreds, and create their own history” – Jor-El (Superman Returns 2006)
Superman is
one of the greatest, if not the most popular superhero in all of pop culture.
The prefix “super” is Latin for “above/beyond.” Combine that with the suffix
“man,” the word Superman literally means “above/beyond man.” The origin and
concept of Superman has relatively stayed the same. Kal-El (Superman’s birth
name) is sent to the planet Earth before his home planet of Krypton meets its
inventible destruction. Eventually Superman crash lands in rural Kansas and is
raised by the Kent’s. What makes Superman so special is this very popular quote
by British Parliament politician John Emerich Edward, “Power tends to corrupt,
and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”
In the case of Superman, this quote is extremely false.
Superman’s
powers have overwhelmed several named gods throughout the years, yet he is not
worshiped (In some cases many are against his intervention). Superman has the
power to conquer galaxy’s singlehandedly, but does not do so. Superman has the
capabilities to control Earth under an iron fist (As seen in the series
Injustice: The Regime), but refuses even if it stops all conflict. German
philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is famous for the concept of the “Übermensch,” or “Super-man.” The Übermensch is described in A
Little History of Philosophy as someone who is not held back by morals, but
seeks to create new values. Nietzsche rejects the “slave mortality,” and
believes power is the ultimate goal. Ironically the Superman we come to love is
the complete opposite of the Superman Nietzsche believes in. Superman believes
in the power of kindness and choice, and refutes the ideology of “might is
right.”
Superman
may be god amongst men, but sees himself as a Shepard amongst sheep.
A Little History of Philosophy (PG171-175) - Nigel Warburton
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165acton.html
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/SupermanReturns
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