Jonathan J. Sanford Archives

Author - Jonathan J. Sanford

Home » Jonathan J. Sanford

Jonathan J. Sanford is a professor of philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Spider-Man and Philosophy

by Jonathan J. Sanford, William Irwin

Untangle the complex web of philosophical dilemmas of Spidey and his world
Since Stan Lee and Marvel introduced Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, everyone’s favorite webslinger has had a long career in comics, graphic novels, cartoons, movies, and even on Broadway. In this book some of history’s most powerful philosophers help us explore the enduring questions and issues surrounding this beloved superhero: Is Peter Parker to blame for the death of his uncle? Does great power really… Read More

img:is([sizes="auto" i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-audio{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-code{border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:4px;font-family:Menlo,Consolas,monaco,monospace;padding:.8em 1em;}.wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-embed{margin:0 0 1em;}.blocks-gallery-caption{color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .blocks-gallery-caption{color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}:root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme :root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-image{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-pullquote{border-bottom:4px solid;border-top:4px solid;color:currentColor;margin-bottom:1.75em;}.wp-block-pullquote cite,.wp-block-pullquote footer,.wp-block-pullquote__citation{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;text-transform:uppercase;}.wp-block-quote{border-left:.25em solid;margin:0 0 1.75em;padding-left:1em;}.wp-block-quote cite,.wp-block-quote footer{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;position:relative;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-right){border-left:none;border-right:.25em solid;padding-left:0;padding-right:1em;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-center){border:none;padding-left:0;}.wp-block-quote.is-large,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large,.wp-block-quote:where(.is-style-plain){border:none;}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__label{font-weight:700;}.wp-block-search__button{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:.375em .625em;}:where(.wp-block-group.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em;}.wp-block-separator.has-css-opacity{opacity:.4;}.wp-block-separator{border:none;border-bottom:2px solid;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-separator.has-alpha-channel-opacity{opacity:1;}.wp-block-separator:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){width:100px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-dots){border-bottom:none;height:1px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){height:2px;}.wp-block-table{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-table td,.wp-block-table th{word-break:normal;}.wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video{margin:0 0 1em;}:root :where(.wp-block-template-part.has-background){margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding:1.25em 2.375em;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}#header{background-color:#fff;}.footer{background-color:#f4f4f4;}a,a:link,a:visited,.footer-widgets a,.widget ul.menu li a,.widget ul.menu li ul.sub-menu li a{color:#00afe5;}a:hover,a:active,a:focus,.footer-widgets a:hover,.widget ul.menu li a:hover,.widget ul.menu li ul.sub-menu li a:hover,.widget ul.menu .current_page_item a,.widget ul.menu .current-menu-item a{color:#00afe5;}h1 a,h2 a,h3 a,h4 a,h5 a,h6 a,h1 a:link,h2 a:link,h3 a:link,h4 a:link,h5 a:link,h6 a:link,h1 a:visited,h2 a:visited,h3 a:visited,h4 a:visited,h5 a:visited,h6 a:visited{color:#00afe5;}h1 a:hover,h2 a:hover,h3 a:hover,h4 a:hover,h5 a:hover,h6 a:hover,h1 a:active,h2 a:active,h3 a:active,h4 a:active,h5 a:active,h6 a:active,h1 a:focus,h2 a:focus,h3 a:focus,h4 a:focus,h5 a:focus,h6 a:focus{color:#00afe5;}.button,a.button,a.button:link,a.button:visited,.wp-block-button__link,.wp-block-button__link:link,.wp-block-button__link:visited,.wp-block-search__button,#comments .reply a,#searchsubmit,#prevLink a,#prevLink a:link,#prevLink a:visited,#nextLink a,button[type=submit],input[type=submit],#submit,input#submit,input.button,#infinite-handle span button{color:rgba(255,255,255,.7);background:#00afe5;background:-webkit-linear-gradient(to bottom right,#00afe5,#00afe5);background:linear-gradient(to bottom right,#00afe5,#00afe5);}#navigation .menu li a:hover,#navigation .menu li[aria-expanded~="true"] > a{color:#fff;background:#00afe5;}.menu ul.sub-menu,.menu ul.children,#custom-header::after,ul.products li.product .button:hover,ul.wc-block-grid__products li.wc-block-grid__product .wp-block-button a.wp-block-button__link:hover,button.secondary:hover,.button.secondary:hover,a.button.secondary:hover{color:#fff;background:#00afe5;background:-webkit-linear-gradient(to bottom right,#00afe5,#00afe5);background:linear-gradient(to bottom right,#00afe5,#00afe5);border-color:#00afe5;}input:focus,select:focus,form input:focus,form select:focus,form textarea:focus,#nav-bar a.account-link:hover svg.account-icon,#nav-bar a.cart-contents:hover svg.cart-icon,#nav-bar a.favorites-link:hover svg.favorites-icon,.header-search #searchform:focus-within{fill:#00afe5;border-color:#00afe5;}.button:hover,a.button:hover,a.button:active,a.button:focus,.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-text-color):not(.has-background):hover,.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-text-color):not(.has-background):active,.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-text-color):not(.has-background):focus,.wc-block-cart .wc-block-components-button:not(.is-link):hover,#comments .reply a:hover,.wp-block-search__button:hover,#searchsubmit:hover,#prevLink a:hover,#nextLink a:hover,input[type=submit]:hover,button[type=submit]:hover,#submit:hover,input#submit:hover,input.button:hover,#infinite-handle span button:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#00afe5;}h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,.site-description,ul.wc-block-grid__products li.wc-block-grid__product .wc-block-grid__product-title{font-family:"Nunito",sans-serif;}body,table,form{font-family:"Poppins",sans-serif;}#navigation,button,.button,.dokan-btn,.wp-block-button__link,#comments .reply a,input[type=submit],.previous-post a,.next-post a,#infinite-handle span button,#infinite-handle span button:hover{font-family:"Nunito",sans-serif;}.site-title{font-family:"Nunito",sans-serif;}.site-title{font-weight:normal;}.recentcomments a{display:inline !important;padding:0 !important;margin:0 !important;}.page-id-14759 .site-main.container{overflow-x:hidden;}@media (max-width: 1023px){.page-id-14759 .booktoken-fall img{width:95%;max-width:1061px;}}@media (max-width: 574px){.mint-status .logo-col .chain-logo.usd-logo svg{width:12px;}.mint-status .logo-col .chain-logo.usd-logo{width:40px;height:40px;}}.medium-article-embed{height:500px;}@media (min-width: 768px){.medium-article-embed{height:1000px;}}.chain-logo-btn{display:flex;width:100%;max-width:270px;}a.coming-soon{position:relative;pointer-events:none;}a.coming-soon:before{content:"Coming Soon";position:absolute;font-size:.5rem;left:-30px;top:0;background-color:#000;padding:2px 6px;border-radius:6px;width:80px;transform:rotate(-30deg);text-align:center;}.custom-logo{height:47px;max-height:320px;max-width:320px;width:134px;}.custom-logo{height:47px;max-height:320px;max-width:320px;width:134px;}