Adam Barkman - Downton Abbey and Philosophy: Thinking in That Manor

Downton Abbey and Philosophy

Volume 95 in the series, Popular Culture and Philosophy, edited by George A. Reisch

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Copyright 2016 by Carus Publishing Company, dba Cricket Media

First printing 2016

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Downton Abbey and philosophy / edited by Adam Barkman and Robert Arp.

pages cm. (Popular culture and philosophy ; Volume 95)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-8126-9912-8 1. Downton Abbey

(Television program) I. Barkman, Adam, 1979- editor.

PN1992.77.D735D79 2015

791.4572dc23

2015019273

Contents

Praise for Downton Abbey and Philosophy

As Violet might say, Forgive these writers for getting you even more addicted to Downton Abbey? Perhaps. Forget all the philosophical gold gathered? Never.

ROBERTO SIRVENT, author of Embracing Vulnerability: Human and Divine

Downton Abbey and Philosophy captures just what is so rich about both Downton Abbey and philosophy. So much of the greatness of Downton Abbey is often lost on viewers. And thats what good philosophy does so well: it brings out the subtleties of life, regardless of the time period. So, whether its major issues you grapple with such as death, love and meaning, or lifes more daily intricacies like manners and money, this book is for you. Cheers.

JACK BOWEN, author of If You Can Read This: The Philosophy of Bumper Stickers

The world of Downton Abbey is the perfect vehicle for exploring issues of class, work, gender, warfare, and more. Downton Abbey and Philosophy is a must for any fan of the program with an interest in the world around them. Whether you live upstairs with the aristocrats or downstairs in the servants quarters with the rest of us, this book will get you thinking.

GREG LITTMANN, Associate Professor of Philosophy, SIU Edwardsville

Whether you are upstairs sipping tea in the salon with the ladies in your finest dress and hat or you dwell downstairs and only appear to scrub floors, set tables, and answer the door, this book will be your bedtime companion. Its your philosophical love who keeps you warm with wisdom, that great secret you neednt worry about keeping... unlike that other love you kiss quietly behind closed doors.

KIMBERLY BALTZER-JARAY, author of Doorway to the World of Essences

Fans of Downton will find much food for thought in this book. It looks at the characters, their relationships, and life at the Abbey in ways that are not only enlightening, but that will also help fans enjoy the show in deeper ways.

MIKE AUSTIN, editor of Virtues in Action

In a time of cell phones, disruptive social networks, and rapid technological change, its boggling how much we can learn from a time when etiquette, stoicism, and rigorous class structure were the norm. Downtown Abbey is a natural fit for exploring modern-day issues like drones, rapidly changing technology, and a society caught up in change that we can remarkably relate to. Barkman and Arp have done a splendid job!

WAYNE YUEN, editor of The Walking Dead and Philosophy: Zombie Apocalypse Now

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, once said to Lady Edith, all life is a series of problems which we must try and solve. This book delves into many of the philosophical problems posed by Downton Abbey. What the Dowager also says about a good pudding applies to this book: it would be a pity to miss!

BRETT GAUL, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Southwest Minnesota State University

Although only a passing fan of Downton Abbey, I had never watched enough of it to develop the habit. The book Downton Abbey and Philosophy however, has reintroduced me to it in an exciting way. Touching on the moral, psychologic, religious, historic, social, and political aspects of the Abbey and its inhabitants, the chapters were written in a readable and informed way that drew me back to the series. I have to imagine that this is how really smart people sound when they arent worried about looking smart.

DAN MIORI, author and medical practitioner

Downton Abbey is our generations window to a deeply divisive post-Edwardian social world, where everyday occurrences challenge acknowledged ideals of chivalry and modesty. This fine volume assembles together philosophers responses to the wildly popular television series, addressing questions of the moral, epistemic, and logical matters arising from the juggernaut of distinct social classes represented by the Crawley household.

JOSEPH ULATOWSKI, University of Texas at El Paso

Popular Culture and Philosophy Series Editor: George A. Reisch

VOLUME 1Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing (2000)

VOLUME 2The Simpsons and Philosophy: The Doh! of Homer (2001)

VOLUME 3The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (2002)

VOLUME 4Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale (2003)

VOLUME 9Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts (2004)

VOLUME 12Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine (2005)

VOLUME 13Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (2005)

VOLUME 19Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think! (2006)

VOLUME 25The Beatles and Philosophy: Nothing You Can Think that Cant Be Thunk (2006)

VOLUME 30Pink Floyd and Philosophy: Careful with that Axiom, Eugene! (2007)

VOLUME 35Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant (2008)

VOLUME 36The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: I Link Therefore I Am (2008)

VOLUME 41Stephen Colbert and Philosophy: I Am Philosophy (And So Can You!) (2009) Edited by Aaron Allen Schiller

VOLUME 42Supervillains and Philosophy: Sometimes Evil Is Its Own Reward (2009)

VOLUME 43The Golden Compass and Philosophy: God Bites the Dust (2009) Edited by Richard Greene and Rachel Robison

VOLUME 44Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed (2009) Edited by Scott Calef

VOLUME 45World of Warcraft and Philosophy: Wrath of the Philosopher King (2009) Edited by Luke Cuddy and John Nordlinger

VOLUME 46Mr. Monk and Philosophy: The Curious Case of the Defective Detective (2010) Edited by D.E. Wittkower

VOLUME 47Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder (2010) Edited by Josef Steiff and Tristan D. Tamplin

VOLUME 48The Red Sox and Philosophy: Green Monster Meditations (2010) Edited by Michael Macomber