Classic Questions and Contemporary Film (eBook)

Dean A. Kowalski is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha. He is the author of Classic Questions and Contemporary Film (2005) and Moral Theory at the Movies (2012). He is the editor of Steven Spielberg and Philosophy (2008), The Philosophy of The X-Files (2009), and The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy (Wiley, 2012), and the coeditor of The Philosophy of Joss Whedon (2011).

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xii

About the Website xiii

Philosophy, Rhetoric, and Argument 1

1.1 Historical Setting: Plato, Gorgias 2

1.2 Discussion and Analysis 6

1.3 Films 23

Thank You for Smoking (2005) 23

Minority Report (2002) 27

The Emperor's Club (2002) 31

1.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 34

Epistemology and Skepticism 37

2.1 Historical Setting: Descartes, Meditations I and II 38

2.2 Discussion and Analysis 44

2.3 Films 59

The Matrix (1999) 59

Inception (2010) 62

Vanilla Sky (2001) 66

2.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 69

God, Creation, and Evil 71

3.1 Historical Setting: Paley, The Argument from Design 72

3.2 Discussion and Analysis 74

3.3 Films 91

Bruce Almighty (2003) 91

Creation (2009) 94

Schindler's List (1993) 98

3.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 101

Freedom, Fate, and Determinism 104

4.1 Historical Setting: D'Holbach, System of Nature 105

4.2 Discussion and Analysis 109

4.3 Films 121

The Adjustment Bureau (2011) 121

Gattaca (1997) 124

Run, Lola, Run (1998) 128

4.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 132

Mind, Body, and Consciousness 134

5.1 Historical Setting: Descartes, Meditation VI 135

5.2 Discussion and Analysis 138

5.3 Films 156

Being John Malkovich (1999) 156

Bicentennial Man (1999) 159

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 163

5.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 166

Ethical Foundations and Moral Truth 169

6.1 Historical Setting: Sumner, Folkways 170

6.2 Discussion and Analysis 173

6.3 Films 190

Hotel Rwanda (2004) 190

Frailty (2001) 194

The Cider House Rules (1999) 197

6.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 200

Ethics and Values 203

7.1 Historical Setting: Reid, Of the First Principles of Morals 204

7.2 Discussion and Analysis 208

7.3 Films 221

Saving Private Ryan (1998) 221

Horton Hears a Who! (2008) 225

Groundhog Day (1993) 228

7.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 232

The State, Social Contracts, and Justice 235

8.1 Historical Setting: Hobbes, Leviathan 236

8.2 Discussion and Analysis 240

8.3 Films 256

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005) 256

V for Vendetta (2005) 259

Serenity (2005) 263

8.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 266

The Human Condition 269

9.1 H istorical Setting: Russell, The Value of Philosophy 270

9.2 Discussion and Analysis 273

9.3 Films 288

Memento (2000) 288

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) 292

Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) 296

9.4 Synthesis, Review, and Going Forward 299

Appendix

A.1 A Deductive Logic Primer 302

A.2 Film 312

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) 312

Glossary 316

Index 323

"A great blend of classic sources, modern movies, and critical analysis. This is the perfect textbook for teaching and learning philosophy through film." William Irwin, King's College, General Editor of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series

"Dean Kowalski has produced a textbook that is both comprehensive and accessible to students. One of the marvelous qualities of the book is that it has high expectations of students. The selections of readings, the student guides, and, most impressively, the range of films discussed makes this an excellent introduction to philosophical thought and, equally important, a model for how to engage students with philosophy through the use of film. The latter takes real skill and Kowalski is an expert guide. The integration of a wide range of films along with the readings, exposition, and applications will provide any student with an excellent foundation in philosophy and should spark that wonder in students to which all philosophy classes aspire." James B. South, Marquette University