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Product Description
If you think Saddam and Satan are a kinky couple, wait ‘til you get a load of South Park and Philosophy. Like Mr. Hanky at Christmas, this is a book whose time has come. On the cheesy poof-stained pages within, 22 philosophers address perennial questions such as, Is Dan Rather real? Should Big Gay Al be allowed to marry Mr. Slave? And, of course, what does philosophy have to do with flatulence? M’kay. Current concerns are also considered. Are American voters inevitably forced to choose between a turd and a douche? Does South Park’s blasphemous humor go too far? If it’s OK to ridicule Islam, is it OK to skewer Scientology? How does Cartmanland raise the problem of evil? If you like Chef’s salty balls, you’ll love this book—unless of course you’re a damn hippie. In which case, you go to hell… you go to hell and you die! So get your Big Wheels ready and, whether you’ve got one or four assess, we’re goin’ for a ride!
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 I did learn something, 2008-02-22
Great book and intro to philosophy. While a bit heavy in parts, it does get you to think and gives you some material for defending the greatness that is South Park to its critics.
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
 eh, 2007-06-09
More focus on philosophy than South Park--- not that there's anything wrong with that, but it makes for rather dry reading. I prefer "South Park and Philosophy" as edited by Richard Hanley. Much lighter, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
You know, it COULD'VE been better..., 2007-06-09
But then so could a lot of other things. Like the government... people's attitudes... the taste of a lot of tacos...
You can't really help it; some things fall expectations.
When you look at this book's cover, you brace yourself for hilarious comedy. If you read enough you know that there was a book for the Simpsons relating the show to philosophy. It was just South Park's turn.
Now, it's true that the individual writers could've gone more in depth with a few topics. Personally, I feel like the "gender and sexuality" chapter should've been MUCH longer. But it did explain relevant aspects of philosophy in terms the layman could understand. I mean, come on, what better concept is there than using South Park to relate to philosophy? It bares the bones on a lot of terminology and historical (as well as contemporary) figures in the field and it even lets you feel like you're smart for watching South Park (because it's SO philosophical, really!)
I may sound sarcastic, but I'm a fan of the show. There's a reason why they resort to that humor a lot of the time - you've just got to poke fun at both sides in the most extremist of fashions.
The book is divided into chapters, whereupon those chapters are written by different people, Arp himself included. Different writing styles, different lengths to the chapters, and always a unique voice that keeps in mind how absurd the series is - and loves it.
If you're a fan and you'd like to know more about philosophy, pick up the book - it wouldn't hurt. Philosophy majors might see things wrong with the book, but come on, 261 pages can't honestly harness all philosophy has to offer. And it's South Park. There's only so much material you can milk out of it to compare to Nietzsche.
All in all, it was a good book. Entertaining. Certainly not a textbook on the subject but then again, it's not meant to be. It's comparing a cartoon show in which a character dies at every episode and comes back to life mysteriously in the beginning of the next with no questions asked.
Pick it up!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Southpark taken Seroiously, 2007-04-30
I enjoy both South Park and the book. The show has been around for over ten years now and over that time it has dealt with many pressing issues with the trademark uncouth wit and dark humor. The show is a great deal of fun but is still a show and the opinions of two people. Surprising, you don't get those opinions in many other places because it attacks the sacred cows of the rest of the media. Saying all that this book takes the show seriously and points out that there is a strong message that is rooted deep in western thought and culture.
I am familiar with many ideas and authors of philosophy and this book connects some of the ideas of the show with some philosophers. I think they could do about two or three book more to better explore the meanings and episodes of South Park and reflect that this crazy show has a powerful and both radical and moderate view of the world. They reflect the many radical and outlandish ideas that are accepted in our culture we now see as normal.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
South Park and Philosophy Hits the Mark!, 2007-01-29
Walter DeRoeck says,
"I was thrilled when I got this book, as I am a longtime South Park fan. The philosophy dealing with South Park is very interesting. Of course, I was expecting this book to be about what other philosophers thought of Matt and Trey's ideas through South Park. The great news is that I was right.
Honestly, I do think that the book has MORE to do with South Park and Philosophy than any other book on South Park and Philosophy. The chapters are written by the likes of people doing work in philosophy, political science, literature, and musicology, with South Park playing a huge role in each section. The synopses of the episodes are anything but piss-poor.
The authors have an obviously thorough knowledge of South Park, giving very complete analyses. Especially elucidating is the chapter relating to the "Vote or Die, Bitch" episode; the author must have watched it many times.
Also the way the author handled the "Gay Marriage" section is thought-provoking. In fact, that chapter presents one of the fairest and most elucidating analyses of gay marriage I have ever read.
What I like most about the book, however, is the fact that the authors were not just using the South Park name to sell some books.
In short: the book is great, and has everything to do with South Park; the sections are accurate and true to the show; and the authors didn't twist things around to make things say what they wanted them to. It's a must read for any South Park fan."
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