Loved watching 'The Good Place'? Show's creator is set to publish book inspired by the series this January 2022
Nearly two years after the series ended in 2020, NBC's The Good Place creator Michael Schur is set to release a philosophical book inspired by the same concept that the show was based on this 2022.
Titled How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question, Schur's book is "a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life, drawing on 2,400 years of deep thinking from around the world." It explores utilitarianism, deontology, existentialism, and ubuntu or humanity to others among many topics in ethics, which have also been challenged throughout the four seasons of the series, with the same humorous approach.
While he is more known as one of the brains behind the hit comedy shows The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Schur mentioned in the past that he has always been fond of moral philosophy and engaging in thought-provoking philosophical questions. His interest has led to the creation of the show and eventually his own book.
In his interview in 2019 for WBUR CitySpace alongside William Jackson Harper, who starred as Chidi Anagonye in the series, Schur said: “I will go anywhere and anytime to talk to a large group of people about moral philosophy. I mean, why in the world would you turn down that offer?”
Furthermore, the The Good Place showrunner sees the debate of humanity’s quest for goodness as something worth exploring, saying from the same interview, “I find the process of trying to become a better person thrilling in every direction. I find it exhilarating and maddening and confusing and fun and weird.”
Schur’s new book takes on all ethical questions, from the no-brainer, “Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?” to the more complicated situations such as, “Why bother being good at all when there are no consequences for being bad?”
The Emmy Award-winning television writer/producer tweeted last year on Dec. 29 that those who preorder the book before the release date can score a personalized message written on their copies by the author himself.
Do you want me to *personally* write that Scott Brosius was underrated? That Mark Sanchez was better than Tom Brady? Do you want me to exhort you to treat yourself? This is your chance! https://t.co/8IQ0hjwWxK
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) December 28, 2021
Schur posted: “Do you want me to *personally* write that Scott Brosius was underrated? That Mark Sanchez was better than Tom Brady? Do you want me to exhort you to treat yourself? This is your chance!”
Schur’s How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question comes out on Jan. 25. Physical copies are available to preorder on Amazon, while the e-book and audiobook versions can be ordered on Google Play Books.