Veronica Mars and Philosophy explores the philosophical issues that underpin this critically acclaimed neo-noir detective series featuring the crime-solving exploits of its title character, the smart and savvy teenage gumshoe Veronica Mars.

Acknowledgments x Introduction: The PI and the Philosophers 1 Part I Veronica Mars Is Rich Dude Kryptonite: Investigating Politics and the Social Order 5 1 Getting Past the Velvet Ropes: Status Anxiety in Neptune 7 William Irwin 2 “That’s Really Criminal of You”: Why It May Be Okay for Veronica Mars to Break the Law 19 Paul Hammond 3 “Got Any Enemies You Know About?” … “Well, There’s the Klan”: Race, Rancor, and Riches in Neptune, California 32 Rejena Saulsberry Part II Veronica Mars Is a Triple Threat—Girl, Teenager, and Private Detective: Investigating the World of noir 45 4 Breaking Bad in Neptune: How “Cool Guys” Become Psychopaths 47 George A. Dunn 5 Noir Neptune: Genre and Gender Bending in Veronica Mars 61 Daniel Wack 6 “Don’t Forget about Me, Veronica”: Time, Memory, and Mystery in Veronica Mars 72 Paul Hammond Part III Veronica Mars Doesn’t Hang with the Evil and Morally Bankrupt: Investigating Vice and Virtue 81 7 “I’m Old School, an Eye for an Eye”: Veronica and Vengeance 83 George A. Dunn 8 “We Used to be Friends”: An Aristotelian Analysis of Veronica’s Friendships 96 Catlyn Origitano 9 Does Veronica Trust Anyone? 109 Jon Robson Part IV Veronica Mars Is No Longer That Girl: Investigating Women in Society 123 10 Veronica’s Trip to the Dentist: Don’t Blame the Victim 125 James Rocha and Mona Rocha 11 “Grow a Sense of Humor, You Crazy Bitch”: Veronica Mars as a Feminist Icon 136 Kasey Butcher and Megan M. Peters 12 On Not Being a Slut (Even When Everyone Thinks You Are) 147 Jordan Pascoe Part V Veronica Mars Is Smarter Than Me: Investigating How and Why We Investigate 157 13 “I Used to Think that Solving the Case Was the Key to Our Happiness”: The Value of Truth in Veronica Mars 159 Dereck Coatney 14 “Have You Ever Heard of Occam’s Razor?” Veronica’s Use of Inductive Reasoning 170 Andrew Zimmerman Jones 15 “Not Pictured”: What Veronica Knew but Didn’t See 184 Daniel A. Wilkenfeld Part VI Veronica Mars Is a Marshmallow: Investigating Veronica’s Quest for Identity 199 16 Veronica Mars—She’s a Marshmallow 201 James B. South Notes on Contributors: Under Investigation 215 Index 219

Is Veronica Mars a feminist icon? Why does Veronica find it so hard to trust anyone? Is Veronica morally justified in breaking the law in her quest for justice? Is the portrayal of racial conflict in Veronica Mars a realistic depiction of contemporary society? Is knowing the truth always such a good thing? Veronica Mars and Philosophy features a thought-provoking introduction to philosophical issues developed in Veronica Mars, the critically acclaimed neo-noir detective series set in the fictional town of Neptune, California. Though it ran from 2004 to 2007, the dramatic hit show has achieved a cult-like status and has even inspired a new feature film. Couched in the popular show’s intricate plotting, witty dialog, and highly intelligent scripts, this book explores issues relating to trust, friendship, revenge, knowledge, skepticism, race, class, gender, and feminism. The authors reveal the complex moral make-up of Veronica, the smartly sarcastic high school teen and amateur investigator, as she solves mysteries and deals with life-changing events. Veronica Mars and Philosophy offers fans and newcomers alike insights into the philosophical issues related to crime solving and to some of the larger mysteries of life, illustrated by our street-wise, smart, and fascinating hero.