Books in the The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series series

Being a crime fighting superhero is a tough job and it comes with no shortage of social and moral responsibilities.

Should droids be free? Should clone troopers?What political and ethical ideas ground resistance and rebellion?What's wrong with the way women are portrayed in Star Wars?Does Han Solo have a philosophical worldview?Was Galen Erso responsible for the destruction of Alderaan?Should you eat Baby Yoda?"This is the Way." In Star Wars and Philosophy Strikes Back, the Way wends through entirely new adventures in the Star Wars galaxy far, far away: not only the films of the Skywalker saga, but also Rebels, The Bad Batch, Rogue One, Solo, and The Mandalorian. Like the creators of these films and television series, the authors in this book harness the magical mix of humor, action, empathy, characterization, adventure, and fan service that constitutes Star Wars.In addition to thorny metaphysical questions about the nature of time and free will, this volume highlights the staggering cultural impact of George Lucas's universe. The newest Star Wars narratives tackle ethnicity on alien worlds and how love and sex with a droid like L3-37 would work ("It works"). The connections between the Separatist Freedom Movement and the struggle for social justice in the USA in the 21st century are brought to light. And philosophical second looks at Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi prove there is much more to this controversial entry in the Skywalker saga.Thirty-six philosophers, both sages and scoundrels among them, examine the full range of deep questions throughout the Star Wars chronology--from The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker and beyond. "They have spoken."

Through humorous and revealing essays by professional philosophers, The Office and Philosophy illustrates broad philosophical concepts by exploring the characters and scenes of their unexamined lives in both the British and American versions of the acclaimed television series, The Office.

Uses science fiction to provoke reflection and discussion on philosophical issues. This book explores puzzles about virtual reality, trans humanism, whether time travel is possible, the nature of artificial intelligence, and topics in neuroethics, among other timely issues. It is suitable for seasoned philosophers and scientists.

24 and Philosophy is a book you just can't do without. It's all here, folks: the reason Presidents trust him; how Jack cuts through the lies and ambiguities; why he puts his life on the line for others; and how he knows which knee cap to blow out to get that all-important next lead.

Hit the lights and jump in the fire, you're about to enter the School of Rock! Today's lecture will be a crash course in brain surgery. This hard and fast lesson is taught by instructors who graduated from the old school-they actually paid $5. 98 for The $5. 98 EP.

Heralded as the 'new Harry Potter', Stephenie Meyer's wildly popular Twilight is a young adult vampire romance series in which teenaged Bella falls for a vampire, Edward, and is drawn into his and his family's morally grey universe, facing countless dangers and philosophical dilemmas.

Family Guy and Philosophy brings together low-brow, potty-mouthed, cartoon humor and high-brow philosophical reflection to deliver an outrageously hilarious and clever exploration of one of TV's most unrelenting families. Ok, it's not that high-brow.

A philosophical look at heavy metal's dark masters of reality, Black Sabbath Black Sabbath is one of the world's most influential and enduring rock bands.

Explore the fascinating historical and contemporary philosophical issues that arise in Black PantherIn Black Panther and Philosophy: What Can Wakanda Offer The World, a diverse panel of experts delivers incisive critical reflections on the Oscar-winning 2018 film, Black Panther, and the comic book mythology that preceded it. The collection explores historical and contemporary issues--including colonialism, slavery, the Black Lives Matter movement, intersectionality, and identity--raised by the superhero tale.Beyond discussions of the influences of race and ethnicity on the most critically and culturally significant movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this book presents the moral, feminist, metaphysical, epistemological, existential, and Afrofuturistic issues framing Black Panther's narrative. The explorations of these issues shed light on our increasingly interconnected world and allow the reader to consider engaging questions like:* Should Wakanda rule the world?* Was Killmonger actually a victim?* Do Wakanda's Black Lives Matter?* Does hiding in the shadows make Wakanda guilty?* What does Wakanda have to offer the world?Perfect for fans of the most culturally significant film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther and Philosophy will also earn a place in the libraries of students of philosophy and anyone with a personal or professional interest in the defining issues of our time.

Expanded and up-to-date-the ultimate guide that explores meaning and philosophy of all six seasons of Lost Lost is more than just a popular television show; it's a complex examination of meaningful philosophical questions.

Critically acclaimed Mad Men portrays the changing social and political mores of 1960s America, where women were secretaries, men controlled the money, and everyone lived under the imminent threat of nuclear war. However, understanding the philosophy behind this show is even more fascinating.

The first look at the philosophy behind the Iron Man comicsand movies, timed for the release of Iron Man 2 in March2010 On the surface, Iron Man appears to be a straightforwardsuperhero, another rich guy fighting crime with fancy gadgets.

The perfect companion to Lewis Carroll's classic book and director Tim Burton's remake of Alice in Wonderland releasing in March 2010 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is treasured by people of all ages who have followed young Alice on her trip down a rabbit hole and into a fantasy world filled with strange and whimsical characters.

PHILOSOPHY/POP CULTURE "We can't define consciousness because consciousness does not exist. Humans fancy that there's something special about the way we perceive the world, and yet we live in loops as tight and as closed as the hosts do, seldom questioning our choices, content, for the most part, to be told what to do next." --Dr. Robert Ford, Westworld Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? HBO's Westworld, a high-concept cerebral television series which explores the emergence of artificial consciousness at a futuristic amusement park, raises numerous questions about the nature of consciousness and its bearing on the divide between authentic and artificial life. Are our choices our own? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Why do violent delights have violent ends? Could machines ever have the moral edge over man? Does consciousness create humanity, or humanity consciousness? In Westworld and Philosophy, philosophers, filmmakers, scientists, activists, and ethicists ask the questions you're not supposed to ask and suggest the answers you're not supposed to know. There's a deeper level to this game, and this book charts a course through the maze of the mind, examining how we think about humans, hosts, and the world around us on a journey toward self-actualization. Essays explore different facets of the show's philosophical puzzles, including the nature of autonomy as well as the pursuit of liberation and free thought, while levying a critical eye at the human example as Westworld's hosts ascend to their apotheosis in a world scarred and defined by violent acts. The perfect companion for Westworld fans who want to exit the park and bend their minds around the philosophy behind the scenes, Westworld and Philosophy will enrich the experience of the show for its viewers and shed new light on its enigmatic twists and turns.

Enlightenment from the South Park gang faster than you can say, "Screw you guys, I'm going home"! The Ultimate South Park and Philosophy: Respect My Philosophah! presents a compilation of serious philosophical reflections on the twisted insights voiced by characters in TV s most irreverent animated series.

A philosophical look at the movie Inception and its brilliant metaphysical puzzles Is the top still spinning? Was it all a dream? In the world of Christopher Nolan's four-time Academy Award-winning movie, people can share one another's dreams and alter their beliefs and thoughts.

Celebrate the Dude with an abiding look at the philosophy behind The Big Lebowski Is the Dude a bowling-loving stoner or a philosophical genius living the good life? Naturally, it's the latter, and The Big Lebowski and Philosophy explains why.

A meditation on the philosophical quandaries of the hit television show "The Big Bang Theory". It gives you insights on your favorite show characters, story lines, and ideas. It examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition.

An in-depth look at the philosophical issues behind HBO's Game of Thrones television series and the books that inspired it George R.R.

A philosophical exploration of the entire seven-book Harry Potter series Harry Potter has been heralded as one of the most popular book series of all time and the philosophical nature of Harry, Hermione, and Ron's quest to rid the world of its ultimate evil is one of the many things that make this series special.

Dive into the moral philosophy at the heart of all four seasons of NBC's The Good Place, guided by academic experts including the show's philosophical consultants Pamela Hieronymi and Todd May, and featuring a foreword from creator and showrunner Michael Schur* Explicitly dedicated to the philosophical concepts, questions, and fundamental ethical dilemmas at the heart of the thoughtful and ambitious NBC sitcom The Good Place* Navigates the murky waters of moral philosophy in more conceptual depth to call into question what Chidi's ethics lessons--and the show--get right about learning to be a good person* Features contributions from The Good Place's philosophical consultants, Pamela Hieronymi and Todd May, and introduced by the show's creator and showrunner Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation, The Office)* Engages classic philosophical questions, including the clash between utilitarianism and deontological ethics in the "Trolley Problem," Kant's categorical imperative, Sartre's nihilism, and T.M Scanlon's contractualism* Explores themes such as death, love, moral heroism, free will, responsibility, artificial intelligence, fatalism, skepticism, virtue ethics, perception, and the nature of autonomy in the surreal heaven-like afterlife of the Good Place* Led by Kimberly S. Engels, co-editor of Westworld and Philosophy

Does it take faith to be a Jedi? Are droids capable of thought? Should Jar Jar Binks be held responsible for the rise of the Empire? Presenting entirely new essays, no aspect of the myth and magic of George Lucas s creation is left philosophically unexamined in The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy.

Considered a sign of the coming of age of video games as an artistic medium, the award-winning BioShock franchise covers vast philosophical ground.

Take a magic carpet ride through Disney's wonderful world of films and entertainment experiences, and discover the wisdom within its most popular and enduring storiesPhilosophy begins in wonder, and there's no question that Disney's immersive worlds and iconic characters have enchanted generations of children and adults alike, inviting us to escape the mundane into a world of fantasy, imagination, and infinite possibility. In Disney and Philosophy, essays from thirty-two deep-thinking Disneyphiles chart a course through the philosophical world of Disney, tapping into the minds of the great sages of the ages--Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, and Goofy--to explore universal questions of freedom, personal identity, morality, family, and friendship:* Can Sleeping Beauty know that she's not dreaming?* Does turning our emotions and memories "inside out" tell us who we are?* What can Toy Story and Wall-E teach us about being human?* Is hakuna matata really such a problem-free philosophy?If you've ever asked who you are, what is right, or what your purpose is, Disney and Philosophy will spark your curiosity and imagination with a whole new world of unexpected insight into the Magic Kingdom.

A philosophical look at the twisted, high-tech near-future of the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror, offering a glimpse of the darkest reflections of the human condition in digital technologyBlack Mirror--the Emmy-winning Netflix series that holds up a dark, digital mirror of speculative technologies to modern society--shows us a high-tech world where it is all too easy to fall victim to ever-evolving forms of social control.In Black Mirror and Philosophy, original essays written by a diverse group of scholars invite you to peer into the void and explore the philosophical, ethical, and existential dimensions of Charlie Brooker's sinister stories. The collection reflects Black Mirror's anthology structure by pairing a chapter with every episode in the show's five seasons--including an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure analysis of Bandersnatch--and concludes with general essays that explore the series' broader themes. Chapters address questions about artificial intelligence, virtual reality, surveillance, privacy, love, death, criminal behavior, and politics, including:* Have we given social media too much power over our lives?* Could heaven really, one day, be a place on Earth?* Should criminal justice and punishment be crowdsourced?* What rights should a "cookie" have?Immersive, engaging, and experimental, Black Mirror and Philosophy navigates the intellectual landscape of Brooker's morality plays for the modern world, where humanity's greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide.