Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Self Is Dead – Alienation And Nihilism In Rick And Morty, Lucas Miranda

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Drawing upon Erich Fromm’s psychoanalytical-diagnosis of man in capitalism, this essay reflects upon some of the most political and philosophical themes of Cartoon Network’s adult animated sitcom Rick and Morty. It focuses mainly in juxtaposing the nihilism and the alienation of the characters Rick and Jerry, respectively. Discussing the loss of agency due to the illusions and repressions of contemporary society, the essay concludes that capitalism benefits from both Jerry and Rick’s self-destructive worldviews.