Philosophy of Wonder Woman subject of lecture
Courtesy illustration The philosophy of Wonder Woman, and the impact of ideas on pop culture, will be the subject of a lecture at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Wednesday.
MOSES LAKE — Wonder Woman, and how she reflects the impact of philosophy on pop culture, will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 South Balsam St.
Dennis Knepp is the speaker for “Wonder Woman and the Dialectic of History.” Admission is free. The lecture is part of the museum “Spring Salon” lecture series.
Knepp is a philosophy and religious studies instructor at Big Bend Community College. He’s held the job for 17 years.
Wonder Woman turned 75 in December – she doesn’t look it – and her adventures are the subject of a movie slated for release this summer. As all DC Comics fans know, Wonder Woman is a an Amazon who left her isolated, magic home island to fight bad guys. Well, that and the guy she met when he accidentally crashed his plane on the island.
Traditionally she wears bulletproof bracelets, and carries a lasso of truth. Her creator William Moulton Marston did pioneering work in the creation of the lie detector, which is “the inspiration for Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth,” Knepp wrote.
Her original story – it’s since been rewritten numerous times – follows the dialectic patterns established by the 19th Century German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel, Knepp said. Hegel postulated that as civilization expanded, freedom expanded with it.
Marston had definite ideas about Wonder Woman when he wrote the comic; he wanted a character that used love, rather than violence, to get results. His wife and co-author Elizabeth wanted the character to be a woman. “They deliberately created Wonder Woman as a vehicle for expressing their ideas – there’s a reason why Wonder Woman is a strong woman who fights against evil men using a lasso of truth.”
The two were unconventional – Marsden didn’t divorce his wife, he just brought his girlfriend to live with them, with the approval of both women.
Most authors and artists who create popular culture do have something to say, Knepp said. The audience can choose to pay as much attention as they like. “If all you want is to watch the new Wonder Woman movie as a big summer blockbuster, then enjoy the spectacle and the popcorn.”
But Knepp said in his opinion audiences should think about the underlying messages. “The art we easily consume has embedded ideas and it is worthwhile to state them explicitly so that we know what they are. I agree with Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living.”
People who want more information on the lecture or other museum programs can contact the museum at 509-764-3830.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at education@columbiabasinherald.com.