The Simpson is already considered an American institution but for it to be elevated as a philosophy course in a university has placed it in a whole new level. Indeed, Homer and his family is now a source of philosophical discourse at university.
Glasgow University is offering Simpson as a Philosophy course called "D’oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy." The course is described as one of the "modern world's greatest cultural artifacts" simply because the ideas of the world's greatest thinkers have been presented in the show.
If you think that making The Simpsons a philosophy course is just plain absurdity, the New Statesman said not at all and Homer Simpson waxing philosophical thoughts is not surprising since its creator, Matt Groening, was a philosophy student himself.
In fact, some of Homer's lines were 'modernized' versions of famous philosophical quotes by the greatest philosophers in history. For example, Homer's line advising kids never to try at all because failure is still a reality despite doing your best comes from Sartre's famous quote: All human actions are equivalent and all are on principle doomed to failure.
Another one about teaching kids how to hate was similar to Nelson Mandela's quote that no one was born to hate but people learn it. Lastly, Homer's ode to cheating as man's gift to himself echoes Machiavelli's advice not to "attempt to win by force what can be won by deception."
The show has indeed come a long way from being just a part of the Tracy Ullman Show in 1987. With 603 aired episodes, it is now the longest running American sitcom and animated program. It also received 31 Primetime Emmy Awards and its full-length movie earned $527 million.
It also gained a lot of attention during the recent presidential election when it accurately predicted a Trump win.
