I finished season one of AMC’s The Walking Dead this week. I enjoy this show because of the philosophical implications of the meta-narrative. For those who are unfamiliar with the show it is about a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been either killed or turned into zombies. Thus far there has not been an explanation by the storytellers as to how the whole planet seems to have been devastated, so you have to start at the place that it is simply the case.
There are many things to ponder when watching the show:
First, could a zombie apocalypse happen? We’ve seen it in nature already. There are “zombie ants” controlled by fungi and honeybees controlled by parasites (see the National Geographic article ” ‘Zombie’ Ants Found with New Mind-Control Fungi” or the Discovery News article “Fly Parasite Turns Honeybees into ‘Zombies’ “). So the concept of humans becoming zombies is not as far fetched as some may suggest.
Second, how would a zombie apocalypse happen? We’ve seen humanity panic 0ver HIV/AIDS, bird flue, swine flu, and other diseases which provided us with possible dooms-day scenarios. How would such a thing wipe out humanity of a large portion of humanity? Does it have to be air-born (which runs contrary to common zombie narratives)? Would it be an overreaction against a disease where the vaccine created actually contributes to the spread of the disease?
Third, in what sense are zombies human? This is the most interesting question: What makes a human really human? If the heart stops does someone cease to be human? If the frontal cortex ceases to function is someone no longer human? Does a human exist without their body? Does the body define a human?
Fourth, if humanity is at risk what are the precautions against the cessation of our species? While humans may seek to support and protect each other in such a scenario what happens if a person is scratched or bit by a zombie, yet there has been no obvious evidence of infection? Is it best to kill that person for the sake of the group (a sort of apocalyptic utilitarianism) or does their current preservation of their humanity demand that we try to save them until it is obvious that they are infected?
Fifth, if you are bit by a zombie is suicide permissible? In many zombie scenarios a bullet through the head prevents zombies from functioning. If you are bit and you know you may become the walking dead is it OK to kill yourself as a measure of prevention both against future suffering and the use of your body to do evil?
What are your thoughts on these matters? Have you watched the show? Do other philosophical scenarios come to mind?
the archives near Emmaus 
good questions. If a zombie is ‘walking dead’, then why can only a living person be turned into a zombie? Why not the animation of dead humans. This looks at question 3 and 5 above. If the thing that makes a zombie is something else, some driver, some homunculus, whether parasite or spirit or what… then all it needs would be the architecture of a vehicle. Hence we have 1/2 bodies and heads of zombies still animated (though in the story they were living when infected). If there is a clear demarcation between a host’s living/dead state at the point of turning from ‘human’ to ‘zombie’ and that it is impossible for ‘dead’ to reanimate, then it seems that the host is still, in some unknown way, ‘human’.
To go off on another track… suppose a person is born with defects in the brain that cause the person to not have the typical response toward fellow humans. This person then goes out and kills someone and is caught and sentenced. Generally there is an attempt to make the case that the person, while responsible for the crime, is not guilty in the same manner as someone who is of ‘sound mind’. Instead of prison and death row, the person might instead be sent to a psychiatric ward for the criminally insane. There is modification on the rules of ethics here due to the person’s development, or lack thereof. They are still ‘human’. While the zombies are horrific and abhorrent, they seem to be still ‘human’ at some level.
Could you imagine the horror of finding a treatment to cure zombies? This would change the debate over their humanness. Also, imagine waking up from the nightmare that you were a zombie and ate your family and friends.
Eddie:
That is an interesting observation. You are correct that the zombies don’t infect the dead bodies and that there does seem to be the need for life before the infection can infuse an alternative life-force. Spoiler Alert: In the final episode of season one the scientist at the CDC shows that the brain stem functions, but not the frontal cortex or most of the brain for that matter. So there is a sense in which the “person” is gone, but you are right, it is not a resurrection per se.
The analogy to those with various defects of the brain is interesting as well. It opens the door to the discussion of how much one must be aware and conscientious about a decision to be held responsible for it. When people have sentences minimized for “temporary insanity” we see the same dilemma. You are right that no one doubts their humanness, but rather their ability to function correctly.
I imagine finding the cure would result in a sense of sadness for those who were assassinated and fear as to how to go about curing the infected. I hope to avoid dreaming of myself as a zombie!
Brian, is there a theological question at the heart of this very unique post (perhaps involving something to do with the whole ‘created in the image of God’)?
Andrew:
These questions can have theological implications, sure.
Wasn’t Jesus ‘the firstborn of the dead’? [Rev 1:5]
@Andrew:
….which is a way of saying the first to experience the eschatological resurrection.
I know but that was the closest thing I could come to finding ‘zombies’ in the bible …
(If you’re telling me in no-so-many words I need more practice on my humour, I don’t think you’ll appreciate the practicing …)
Humor in the blogosphere is very hit-or-miss. Sadly, emoticons are the best way to show something is a joke even if they are cheesy. We could mentioned Matthew 27’s resurrection of the saints as another “zombie episode”. Some have dubbed it “the zombie apocalypse”.
Yes, true, and then also if we don’t presuppose ‘new-life’ is automatically part of the package, the whole “rising from the dead” thing could seem pretty zombiesque.
I love this show. I think the theological questions related to anthropology, eschatology, and other matters increase dramatically in season 2, but I won’t say anything beyond that to avoid spoilers.
@Tim: I am looking forward to season 2!
The end of season two, Rick says “this isn’t a democracy, anymore.” There is a lot of politics in this show as well. People fight over roles in the community, others are comfortable as followers rather than leaders. What do you guys think about Shane’s ideas vs. Rick’s? Shane follows a Machiavellian ideology that makes sense considering the circumstances.