The Godfather and Philosophy

The Godfather and Philosophy is aimed at thoughtful fans of the Godfather franchise. It comprises twenty-eight chapters by philosophers, who reflect upon the ethical and metaphysical issues raised in the Godfather novels and movies, beginning with the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo and the 1972 movie by Francis Ford Coppola. The Godfather saga has had a profound impact on American cinema, storytelling, thinking about crime, and popular culture in general.
Among the questions tackled in these provocative philosophical chapters are the immigrant experience in America, the relation between ethics and the law, the nature of moral corruption, private justice and vigilantism, organized crime and the American Dream, betrayal and forgiveness, religion and family values, the difficulties of breaking out of a dysfunctional way of life, and the uncertain consequences of vice laws.

Joshua Heter teaches philosophy at Jefferson College, Missouri. He co-edited Punk Rock and Philosophy: Research and Destroy (2022).

Richard Greene teaches philosophy at Weber State University, Utah. He wrote the definitive and highly acclaimed book, Spoiler Alert! (It’s a Book about the Philosophy of Spoilers) (2019).