The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer, edited by William Irwin, Mark T. Conard, and Aeon J. Skoble and published in 2001, is a collection of 18 essays by professional philosophers that explores philosophical themes through the lens of the iconic animated television series The Simpsons. Part of the Popular Culture and Philosophy series, the book uses the show’s humor, satire, and characters to make complex philosophical concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience. It is not an attempt to uncover the intended meanings of the show’s creator, Matt Groening, but rather to highlight the philosophical significance of The Simpsons as interpreted by the contributors. Organized into four sections—Characters, Simpsonian Themes, Ethics, and Philosophers—the book examines how the show’s narratives and characters reflect ideas from major Western philosophers such as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Marx, Sartre, Kant, and Heidegger, while addressing issues like morality, happiness, existentialism, and social criticism.

In the Characters section, essays delve into the philosophical dimensions of the Simpson family and other Springfield residents. For example, Raja Halwani’s “Homer and Aristotle” explores whether Homer Simpson embodies Aristotle’s virtues of character, concluding that his sincerity, despite his flaws, occasionally aligns with ethical behavior, though he often falls short of true virtue. Mark T. Conard’s “Thus Spake Bart: On Nietzsche and the Virtues of Being Bad” examines Bart Simpson as a potential embodiment of Nietzsche’s rejection of traditional morality, suggesting his rebelliousness reflects a form of existential freedom, while Lisa represents the “slave morality” Nietzsche critiqued. Eric Bronson’s essay on Maggie connects her silence to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s theories on the limits of language and draws parallels to Gustave Flaubert’s introspective life, highlighting her understated but profound presence.

The Simpsonian Themes section tackles broader concepts reflected in the show. Essays explore Springfield’s sexual politics, American anti-intellectualism, and the role of irony and satire in critiquing society. For instance, Daniel Barwick uses Mr. Burns to investigate the nature of happiness, arguing that his relentless pursuit of wealth leaves him perpetually unfulfilled, offering insights into hedonic versus eudaimonic conceptions of well-being. The Ethics section examines moral questions, such as whether hypocrisy is always unethical and how Lisa’s conception of “the Good” aligns with Socratic or Kantian ideals. Finally, the Philosophers section connects specific thinkers to the show’s narratives, questioning, for example, whether Bart is a Heideggerian thinker or how Marx’s critique of capitalism manifests in Springfield’s socioeconomic dynamics.

The book also includes an episode guide and a chronology of philosophers with representative quotes, enhancing its utility as an educational tool. Critically acclaimed and widely used in university philosophy courses, it has been praised for its erudition and humor, though some critiques note inconsistencies in essay quality and the repetitive use of a limited set of episodes (about 20 across the first 12 seasons). While not a groundbreaking work in philosophy, it succeeds as an accessible introduction to philosophical ideas, appealing to both Simpsons fans and those interested in philosophy. Its strength lies in its ability to blend humor with serious inquiry, encouraging readers to reflect on timeless questions about ethics, identity, and society through the absurd yet relatable world of Springfield.