
The 1990s sitcom Seinfeld was loudly proclaimed to be the show about “nothing”. The very term “nothing” is somewhat paradoxical. Nothing denotes the complete absence of an essence or form. Technically it is herculean task to fixate any concept around the word. Logically some attribute is bound to invalidate the notion of complete absence of any form or detail. Hence, why the show really wasn’t about nothing. It was really an unapologetic slice-of-life comedy. Focused on four 30-something NYC residents and their day to day lives. Lives typically punctuated by social faux pas and outlandish situations. Generally spurred by their own errors or impulses. It the television program doesn’t fixate on nothing. It merely lacks an overt, cohesive and reoccurring theme. In contrast to the modern fables portrayed in a sappy coming-of-age drama.
At first glance, it would appear the odds of obtaining any profound philosophical insights from Seinfeld would be unlikely. However, some philosophers would disagree. Back in 2000, William Irwin edited a collection of essays drawing philosophical themes from the sitcom. To think philosophical insights from a show where the characters quibble over breakfast cereals and superheroes. Seinfeld and Philosophy is a brilliant attempt to infer the unthinkable from the show about “nothing”. The unthinkable being is logical and moral parables.
Out of the four main characters of Seinfeld Cosmo Kramer is certainly noteworthy. A slender and cloddish man with a mop of wild hair upon his. His rangy frame often silhouetted by a thick hazy of smoke from a burning Cuban cigar. Frequently barging into Jerry’s apartment and rifling through his refrigerator for food. He never holds a steady job. Often is hopping from one fleeting interest to the next. Whether it be some harebrained business scheme or new absurd fixation. For example, in season nine when Kramer discovers the furniture from the old Merv Griffin Show in a dumpsters. He then decides to assemble the set in his own apartment and pose as if he was a late-night talk show host. Kramer mirrors Peter Pan. Stuck in a perpetual state of adolescences. He is fickle with is commitments and interests. Making his life a revolving-door of collective fads. Giving some credence to Elaine one time insulting Kramer by calling him a “hipster doofus“.Yes kids, this episode did predate the American Spirits smoking, fake glasses wearing, Pabst Blue Ribbon drinking hipsters of the 2000’s.
How could any sizable moral lesson ever be derived from a character that lives such a shallow life? Philosopher William Irvin found some insights in Kramer’s disregard for commitment. Detailed in his essay Kramer and Kierkegaard: Stages on Life’s Way. Where Irvin parallels Kramer’s life to that of the Aesthetic Stage of Life. In terms of stages of moral development that would appear to be Kierkegaard’s most rudimentary stage. It is important to note that this starts with and ends with despair. Is distinguished by a flight from boredom. Fully illustrated by Kramer’s ever-changing agenda. Spirited, but short-lived enthusiasm. Such as the time Kramer pitched his idea of a cologne that smells like the beach or a pizzeria where you can “bake your own pie” (Irvin, 2000). This only dovetails to possessing a lack of commitment another defining feature of this stage. Exemplified by Kramer referring marriage has a man-made “prison” (Irvin, 2000) Clearly illustrating his distaste for committed romantic relationships.
Cosmo Kramer operates as a moral allegory of what not to be. Unprincipled and pleasure seeking. To characteristics of hedonism that run contrary personal responsibility. One of the conceptual cornerstones of Existential philosophy. The philosophical movement Kierkegaard was a pioneer of. Can an individual float through life as a middle-aged or even elderly “hipster doofus”? Constantly raiding your neighbor’s refrigerator. Hatching various get-rich-quick schemes that invariably fail with in a short duration of time. Finding novel oddball hobbies to occupy your decades of scant employment. It is no wonder many of these interests fade fast. There isn’t any substance to them. They are merely temporary distractions for a man lacking conviction. If Kramer was truly committed to any of his business ventures he would abort them within a matter of days. He would fight for his business to success. He isn’t the type to want to exert such effort on what is difficult. Kramer would rather feed the perpetual cycle of fleeting interests and wavering commitment. Making him a prime example of what we should avoid being in real life.
What am excellent and original post. Does the fictional Seinfeld live on the Upper West Side? If so, how does Kramer afford to live there?
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I believe so. I know (at least under the impression of knowing ) that the real Krammer (Kenny Krammer) lived across the hall from Larry David (back in his stand-up days) in Hell’s Kitchen. Unless I am confusing this among the many interviews from the creators.
I am personally not a huge fan of sitcoms. However, Seinfeld and Curb being the exceptions. I call it the “Larry David” factor.
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We share the same taste in sitcoms. Although I generally abhor TV (especially cable news) as a supreme waste of time, my wife and I love “Curb” and “Seinfeld.”
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I would also slide in an exception for sports (I like NFL football)and the History Channel.
I feel like the content is getting progressively worse on network television. I can’t say I completely hate T.V.. Mainly the majority of it.
There are definitively better uses of our time than to watch it for hours upon hours with no stop in sight.
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I have two words: “NFL Redzone”!!!!
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I don’t trust my weak will with that variety of unfettered access. I limited myself to one game a week last year.
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I hear you. RedZone is seven hours of pure, uninterrupted action (no commercials, no garbage time).
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I will make sure to avoid subscribing at all costs. That sounds like a great way to have a myriad of lost Sundays September-January.
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I let my subscription lapse for that very same reason!
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Wise decision if you ask me.
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Agreed. At the margin, one could say that the 7 or 8 hours of Redzone action is the equivalent of two regular games, but either way, I am better off doing other things during that span of time …
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I forgot to mention I finally listened to your debate with Prof. Somin. Good content, but the sound quality was horrid.
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I need to check it out, but I am afraid of hearing the sound of my own voice …
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I know the feeling. The few podcast episodes I have recorded, I fell like I sound like a complete idiot (a Massachusetts ascent — it doesn’t scream sophistication). Your presentation was fine. The audio was awful I noticed all of the Fed Soc presentations have bad audio. I don’t know if this is a result of attempting to record these debates remotely.
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In any case, I wish they would use Zoom!
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PS: We are in the process of watching “Waco” on Netflix and highly recommend it.
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Duly noted. I loved Wild Wild Country. Then again I have a peculiar fascination with cults.
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I will check that out. In the meantime, one of the things I like about “Waco” is how it humanizes David Koresh, telling the story largely from his point of view.
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Now it’s just a matter of convincing my wife to watch this one with me.
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Tell her my wife liked it!
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