We know who Superman is. Some people do not necessarily like him as a comic book character. There is some sort of hatred of him, because “there is nothing he cannot do”. However, the fact remains that he is probably the notable of all comic book characters. So it is interesting to see that he is frequently left out of the approved definition of the word “Superman”.
The definition of “Superman” from Dictionary.com states:
1. a person of extraordinary or superhuman powers.
2. an ideal superior being conceived by Nietzsche who attains happiness, dominance, and creativity.
3. a superior being conceived as the product of human evolution.
4. one who prevails by virtue of being a ruthless egoist of superior strength, cunning, and force of will.
There is focus on Nietzsche because of his philosophical idea of a superman, but there is no mention of the comic book character.
When is the dictionary going to recognize the Superman is the most recognizable comic book character in history? Most people have no idea who Nietzsche is, but they know Superman, the comic book character. The definition is a fair description of different attribute and uses of the word “superman”, but an absence of the character is hollow.
The truth remains, however, if you ask anyone; “What does Superman mean?”, they will be respond with some description of “The Man of Steel”. In fact, the will also ask you “who” not “what” is Superman.
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This post is a fresh rewrite of a post written in September 2006 titled The Definition of Superman
Image from DC Comics