Batman Can Be Anybody: Self-Transcendence And Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy

Author

• Alec Borislow

Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Luria, Rachel

Abstract

Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight Trilogy examines the origin and evolution of Bruce Wayne, and his hero vigilante alter ego, Batman. The trilogy consists of Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Bruce's post-traumatic journey for physical and mental excellence results in transformative and personal discovery, leading to self-transcendence. The personality trait of self-transcendence is the apex of psychologist Abraham Maslow's lesser-known and amended hierarchy of needs. It is the highest level of human consciousness and development. Bruce's unwavering morality, intrinsic motivation, and spirituality are characteristic of both humanistic and transpersonal psychology and further illustrate how the motion picture series exemplifies a road map to self-transcendence.

Comments

Thesis (B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, 2021

Recommended Citation

Borislow, Alec, "Batman Can Be Anybody: Self-Transcendence And Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy" (2021). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present. 102.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors/102

Extent

40 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00137