Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems

James B. South, Rod Carveth

John Wiley & Sons, Jun 1, 2010 - Philosophy - 272 pages

A look at the philosophical underpinnings of the hit TV show, Mad Men

With its swirling cigarette smoke, martini lunches, skinny ties, and tight pencil skirts, Mad Men is unquestionably one of the most stylish, sexy, and irresistible shows on television. But the series becomes even more absorbing once you dig deeper into its portrayal of the changing social and political mores of 1960s America and explore the philosophical complexities of its key characters and themes. From Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to John Kenneth Galbraith, Milton Friedman, and Ayn Rand, Mad Men and Philosophy brings the thinking of some of history's most powerful minds to bear on the world of Don Draper and the Sterling Cooper ad agency. You'll gain insights into a host of compelling Mad Men questions and issues, including happiness, freedom, authenticity, feminism, Don Draper's identity, and more.

• Takes an unprecedented look at the philosophical issues and themes behind AMC's Emmy Award-winning show, Mad Men
• Explores issues ranging from identity to authenticity to feminism, and more
• Offers new insights on your favorite Mad Men characters, themes, and storylines

Mad Men and Philosophy will give Mad Men fans everywhere something new to talk about around the water cooler.

Contents

• Mad Men Hindsight: 5
• People Want to Be Told What to Do So Badly: 20
• Capitalism and Freedom in the Affluent Society: 34
• PART: 51
• The Existential Void of Roger Sterling: 66
• The SecondHand Lives: 79
• Don Draper: 95
• PART THREE: 111
• Its Not: 126
• Don Draper on How to Make Oneself: 168
• PART FOUR: 187
• Aristotle SecondWave Feminism: 203
• Weve Got Bigger Problems to Worry about: 217
• Its Not a List of Titles and Air Dates: 243
• Client Files Lifted from Sterling Cooper: 253

About the author

ROD CARVETH is an assistant professor in the department of Communications Media at Fitchburg State College.

JAMES B. SOUTH is chair of the philosophy department at Marquette University. He edited Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy and James Bond and Philosophy.

WILLIAM IRWIN is a professor of philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen recent titles including Batman and Philosophy, House and Philosophy, and Twilight and Philosophy.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems; Volume 28 of The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
• Editors: James B. South, Rod Carveth
• Contributor: William Irwin
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2010
• ISBN: 0470603011, 9780470603017
• Length: 272 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / General; Philosophy / Religious