Full size book cover of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Philosophy: Wisdom from Aang to Zuko}

Avatar: The Last Airbender and Philosophy: Wisdom from Aang to Zuko

William Irwin, Johan De Smedt, Helen De Cruz, Aaron Ehasz

4.04(52 readers)
Would our world be a better place if some of us were benders? Can Katara repair the world through care? Is Toph a disability pride icon? What does it mean for Zuko to be bad at being good? Can we tell whether uncle Iroh is a fool or a sage? The world is out of sorts. The four nations, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air, are imbalanced because of the unrelenting conquest of the Fire Nation. The only one who can restore balance to the world is the Avatar. On the face of it, The Last Airbender is a story about a lone superhero. However, saving the world is a team effort, embodied in Team Avatar, aka the Gaang. Aang needs help from his friends and tutors, even from non-human animals. Through the teachings of Guru Pathik and Huu he comes to realize that though the world and its nations seem separate, we are all one people. We all have the same roots and we are all branches of the same tree. The Last Airbender and Philosophy brings to the fore the Eastern, Western, and Indigenous philosophies that are implicit in the show. Following Uncle Iroh’s advice that it is important to draw wisdom from many traditions, this volume features contributions by experts on Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian, and Indigenous schools of thought, next to focusing on Western classical authors such as Plotinus, Kant, and Merleau-Ponty. The volume is also unique in drawing on less common traditions such as black abolitionism, anarchism, and the philosophy of martial arts. Intertwining experience and reflection, ATLA and Philosophy helps readers to deeply engage with today’s burning questions, such as how to deal with ecological destruction, the aftermath of colonialism and genocide, and wealth inequality, using the tools from a wide range of philosophical traditions.

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Publication Date

12/1/2022

ISBN

9781119809807

Pages

288

Categories

Literature

About the Author

Portrait of author William Irwin
William Irwin
William Irwin is Professor of Philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and is best known for originating the "philosophy and popular culture" book genre with Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing (1999) and The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer (2001).

Questions & Answers

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" (ATLA) incorporates and reflects various philosophical traditions and concepts through its narrative. It draws on Eastern and Western philosophies, including Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Anishinaabe philosophy. The series emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of balance, as seen in the four elements and the characters' bending abilities. It also explores themes of identity, power, and societal structures.

From these interpretations, several lessons can be drawn for understanding human nature and societal structures:

  1. Interconnectedness: The series highlights the idea that all beings are connected, challenging the notion of separation and division. This reflects the concept of "difference without separability," emphasizing unity despite differences.

  2. Balance and Harmony: The importance of balance is central to ATLA, both in terms of the bending arts and the characters' personalities. This reflects the concept of yin and yang in Daoism and the idea of harmony in Confucianism.

  3. Identity and Responsibility: Characters like Zuko and Toph grapple with their identities and responsibilities. This reflects the concept of "bounded space" in Anishinaabe philosophy, emphasizing the connection between individuals and their environment.

  4. Power and Vulnerability: Aang's vulnerability and compassion are his strengths, illustrating that power can come from weakness. This challenges the traditional view of power as dominance and control.

  5. Societal Structures: The series critiques societal structures like nationhood and the Fire Nation's imperialism, suggesting that these structures can be harmful and need to be reevaluated.

In summary, ATLA's philosophical underpinnings offer insights into human nature and societal structures, emphasizing interconnectedness, balance, identity, power, and the need for critical examination of societal norms.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) challenges and reinforces several traditional philosophical concepts. It challenges the idea of the self by depicting characters like Aang and Zuko who undergo significant transformations, illustrating that identity is not fixed but shaped by relationships and experiences. The show reinforces the role of power by showing that true power lies in compassion and self-control rather than domination, as seen in Aang's victory over Ozai.

ATLA also emphasizes the importance of relationships, particularly in the context of the Gaang, which serves as a model of a caring community. This reinforces the idea that relationships are crucial for individual growth and collective well-being. The show's overall message is that harmony, balance, and interconnectedness are essential for a just and peaceful world, challenging traditional concepts of power and individualism while reinforcing the value of relationships and community.

The show's exploration of bending arts and their philosophies significantly contributes to character development and the narrative. Each bending style, like Taiji and Baguazhang, reflects a distinct philosophy, shaping characters' personalities and strengths. For instance, Katara's waterbending, rooted in Taiji's adaptability and harmony, makes her nurturing and adaptable. This interconnectedness between bending and philosophy underscores the idea that physical abilities are not just tools but extensions of one's inner character.

This relationship highlights that personal growth and moral development are intertwined with physical abilities. Characters like Toph, who faces adversity due to her disability, demonstrates that strength comes from within, not just physical prowess. The show's emphasis on community, interdependence, and shared journeys emphasizes that moral development is a collective endeavor, not an individual one. Thus, the show suggests that physical abilities can serve as a catalyst for profound personal and moral growth.

The concept of 'bounded space' is central to shaping characters, cultures, and bending arts in "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (ATLA). Each nation's bounded space, defined by its unique landscape, animals, and plants, shapes its people's personalities, clothing, food, and connection to the spirit realm. This interplay creates distinct bending styles, like waterbending's adaptability and earthbending's grounding.

Bounded space contributes to the show's exploration of identity and belonging by emphasizing the deep connections between individuals and their environments. Characters like Toph, who embodies earthbending's connection to the earth, reflect this idea. The concept also underscores the interconnectedness of all beings, as seen in the relationships between humans, animals, and spirits. This interconnectedness is a recurring theme, highlighting the importance of respecting and living in harmony with the natural world. Overall, bounded space in ATLA serves as a powerful narrative device that enriches the characters' development and the show's philosophical themes.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) addresses contemporary social and political issues through its narrative by depicting a world divided by nations, each with its own power dynamics and struggles. The show's portrayal of the Fire Nation's imperialism and the oppression of other nations reflects colonialism and oppression. The struggle for justice is evident in the characters' quest to end the Fire Nation's reign of terror and restore balance.

ATLA teaches valuable lessons for real-world applications. Its exploration of collective struggle and the importance of diverse perspectives encourages viewers to consider multiple viewpoints. The show's emphasis on the interconnectedness of all beings promotes empathy and understanding, crucial for addressing global issues. Additionally, ATLA's narrative encourages viewers to challenge oppressive systems and strive for a more just and equitable world. The characters' journey towards redemption and change highlights the potential for personal growth and societal transformation.

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