Description
Book SynopsisIn this book, Dean Kowalski argues that filmmakers can âœdoâ philosophy when creating a fictional narrative film, and utilizes a careful and extensive analysis of Joss Whedonâs fictive creationsâBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Cabin in the Woods (among others)âto establish this thesis.
Trade ReviewDean Kowalski’s Joss Whedon as Philosopher confirms what we have long suspected, that there is a great deal of philosophical gold to be mined from the Whedonverse. Kowalski expertly guides the reader through the many philosophical insights and provocations that can be found in Whedon’s works, from Buffy, Angel and Firefly, to the Avengers films, Cabin in the Woods and Dollhouse. He shows how Whedon’s creations have much to tell us about authenticity and the good life, rights and personhood, ethics and religion, free will and determinism, and more besides. In the second part, the book offers some meditations of its own on the very idea of film (and television) as philosophy – all the better to confirm that Whedon can readily be numbered among those who, in the act of filmmaking, actually do philosophy. -- Chris Falzon, University of Newcastle
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Dedication Introduction Photo Credits and Captions Part I: Philosophy in the Whedonverse Chapter 1: Seeking Authenticity in the Whedonverse Chapter 2: On Being Horrible (and an Angel) Chapter 3: Ethics in an Atheistic Whedonverse Chapter 4: Religious Ambivalence in the Whedonverse Chapter 5: Freedom of the Will: A Whedonverse Paradox (or Not) Part II: Film-as-Philosophy, Whedonesquely Chapter 6: Mulhall and His Detractors Chapter 7: The Russell-Wartenberg Debate Chapter 8: Exploring The Cabin in the Woods Chapter 9: Angel, Angelus, and Personal Identity Conclusion: The Whedonverse, Television, and Philosophy Bibliography
