Description
Book SynopsisIntroducing Philosophy through Film Introducing Philosophy Through Film is a truly wonderful introduction to the core problems of philosophy. Its combination of great films, classic articles from both historical and contemporary philosophers, wonderfully clear introductions to each section, and provocative questions for discussion make for an introduction that is as compelling as it is rigorous.
Richard Foley, New York University
Fumerton and Jeske have compiled an excellent anthology, filled with dozens of classic texts on the central problems of philosophy most often addressed in introductory philosophy courses. And the films they suggest will help introduce students to philosophy in the most enjoyable way possible.
Michael Huemer, University of Colorado
From Monty Python and The Matrix to Casablanca and A Clockwork Orange, popular films offer surprisingly perceptive insights into complex philosophical concepts. Introdu
Table of Contents
Preface
Source Acknowledgments
Part I: Introduction: Philosophical Analysis, Argument, and the Relevance of Thought Experiments
Films: Monty Python, "The Argument Skit"; Pulp Fiction; Seinfeld episode: The
Soup
Part II: The Problem of Perception
Films: Total Recall; The Matrix; Star Trek TV episode: The Menagerie
Introduction
1. First Meditation and excerpt from Sixth Meditation: René Descartes
2. Some Further Considerations Concerning Our Simple Ideas of Sensation: John Locke
3. Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous: George Berkeley
4. Of the Sceptical and Other Systems of Philosophy: David Hume
5. The Self and the Common World: A. J. Ayer
6. Brains in a Vat: Hilary Putnam
7. The Structure of Skeptical Arguments and its Metaepistemological Implications: Richard Fumerton
8. The Experience Machine: Robert Nozick
Part III: Philosophy of Mind
Films: What Dreams May Come; Bicentennial Man; Heaven Can Wait; The Sixth Day; The Prestige; Multiplicity; Star Trek TV episode: Turn About Intruder
Introduction
9. Second Meditation: René Descartes
10. Descartes’ Myth: Gilbert Ryle
11. Sensations and Brain Processes: J. J. C. Smart
12. What Is It Like to Be a Bat?: Thomas Nagel
13. What Mary Didn’t Know: Frank Jackson
14. Minds, Brains, and Programs: John R. Searle
15. Mad Pain and Martian Pain: David Lewis
16. Eliminative Materialism: Paul Churchland
17. Of Identity and Diversity: John Locke
18. The Self and the Future: Bernard Williams
19. From Reasons and Persons: Derek Parfit
20. A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality: John Perry
21. On the Immortality of the Soul: David Hume
Part IV: Ethics
A. Act Consequentialism and its Critics
Films: Abandon Ship!; Fail Safe; Dirty Harry; Sophie’s Choice; Saving Private Ryan; Judgment at Nuremberg; Minority Report: 24 (Season 3: 6.00–7.00 a.m.); Titanic; Vertical Limit
Introduction
22. Utilitarianism: John Stuart Mill
23. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals: Immanuel Kant
24. What Makes Right Acts Right?: W. D. Ross
25. A Critique of Utilitarianism: Bernard Williams
26. An Outline of a System of Utilitarian Ethics: J. J. C. Smart
27. Intending Harm: Shelly Kagan
28. United States v. Holmes (1842)
29. The Queen v Dudley and Stephens
30. War and Massacre: Thomas Nagel
B. Obligations to Intimates
Films: The English Patient; Casablanca; The Third Man; The Music Box; High Noon; Nick of Time; 24 (Season 1: 7.00–8.00 a.m.)
Introduction
31. From Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle
32. Self and Others: C. D. Broad
33. Filial Morality: Christina Hoff Sommers
34. Alienation, Consequentialism, and the Demands of Morality: Peter Railton
35. Relatives and Relativism: Diane Jeske and Richard Fumerton
36. Families, Friends, and Special Obligations: Diane Jeske
37. An Ethic of Caring: Nel Noddings
Part V: Philosophy of Time
Films: Somewhere in Time; Back to the Future; Planet of the Apes; Frequency;
A Sound of Thunder
Introduction
38. Making Things to 39. Space and Time: Richard Taylor
40. The Paradoxes of Time Travel: David Lewis
Part VI: Free Will, Foreknowledge, and Determinism
Films: Minority Report: The Boys From Brazil: A Clockwork Orange: The Omen: Compulsion: Law and Order ("black rage" defense), Season 5, Episode 69414, Rage (2/01/95)
Introduction
41. From De Interpretatione: Aristotle
42. Of Liberty and Necessity: David Hume
43. Meaning and Free Will: John Hospers
44. Determinism: J. R. Lucas
45. Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person: Harry G. Frankfurt
46. The M’Naghten Rules (1843): House of Lords
47. The Insanity Defense (1956): The American Law Institute
48. What Is So Special About Mental Illness?: Joel Feinberg
Part VII: Philosophy of Religion
Films: Jason and the Argonauts; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Dogma; YouTube: Mr Deity and the Evil
Introduction
49. The Wager: Blaise Pascal
50. The Ontological Argument: Anselm
51. The Cosmological and Design Arguments: William L. Rowe
52. Evil and Omnipotence: J. L. Mackie
53. Why I Am Not a Christian: Bertrand Russell
