Professors explore the Tao of U2's Bono

PROVO — To get the joke, you have to know that the Chinese philosophy known as Tao enjoys a rich historical trove of reflection by wise men like Confucius.

It also helps to know that Tao means "way" or "path" and generally is pronounced "Dow."

That said, it should come as no surprise that the best-selling book at a small Midwestern academic publishing house is titled, "The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'Oh of Homer."

The volume is one in an expanding series of books that look at specific parts of pop culture through philosophy. And the latest offering has Utah ties.

For "U2 and Philosophy," three Brigham Young University professors contributed essays about the politically active and religiously sensitive super-band U2.

The book was edited by BYU philosophy professor Mark Wrathall, who loved the project, and not just because it helped him justify an earlier university-paid research trip to Denver to see the band perform.

Back then, a BYU manager sent back his budget with a sarcastic note at the bottom asking why Wrathall hadn't submitted a request for sunglasses, a signature prop worn by U2 singer-songwriter Bono.

"Now," Wrathall said, "I always include a line item in my budget for sunglasses."

Wrathall co-wrote a chapter with a friend at UC Berkeley, where he earned his doctorate in philosophy. The essay is about the existentialist notion of despair.

"The band has acknowledged that a lot of times they are writing out of the emotion of despair about the emptiness and banality of the modern world," Wrathall said.

In a second essay titled "If You Want to Kiss the Sky, Better Learn How to Kneel," Wrathall takes the idea further, exploring theChristianity in U2's songs.

"There is a very strong parallel to existentialist Christians like Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard and Heidegger," Wrathall said. "The band sings a lot about our ability to experience the divine in this world, about overcoming despair and that having a worthwhile life requires us to get our bodily passions and higher spiritual longings together."

Wrathall said the book actually was born when he compared notes over lunch with BYU humanities professor Kerry Soper, who like Wrathall was using U2 in classes.

"He called my attention to the Popular Culture and Philosophy Series. I thought that would be a good outlet for what we were doing."

Soper wrote an article for the book on the public identity Bono has constructed.