Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul

This book is edited by Mark D. White and Robert Aps and attempts to address 6 topics:

• Does the Dark Knight always do right?
• Law, Justice, and the Social Order: Where does Batman fit in?
• Origins and Ethics: Becoming the Caped Crusader
• Who is the Batman? (is that a trick question?)
• Being the Bat: Insights from Existentialism and Taoism
• Friend, Father,.....Rival? The Many Roles of the Bat

While the essays in this book do not directly address Batman's relationship with technology, the book does a good job discussing Batman in a philosophical framework and can serve as a model for my thesis.

One interesting point that was repeated many times in this book was that while Bruce Wayne was able to acquire all of the skills and technologies necessary to fight crime, he was missing the ability to create fear in the minds of his opponents. Therefore, Bruce Wayne became Batman. This transformation was greatly aided through the use of technology, so Wayne could become more than a man in the minds of his enemies.

In addition, after reading yet another "scholarly" take on Batman, a couple graphic novel titles have been referenced routinely. While you have read all of these, it might be a good idea to read these novels again:

The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: Year One
Arkham Asylum

I found this book using the PSU Libraries: Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul. Ed. Mark D. White, Robert Arp. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons,, 2008. Print.