Description
Book SynopsisThis volume settles the debate between analytic and continental philosophy. It turns to art, more specifically popular culture, to demonstrate the validity of continental philosophy. Drawing on the philosophy of Georg Hegel (perhaps the most important of continental philosophers), James Kreines holds that reason in the world metaphysically exists. Reasons of the world are reasons of the Hegelian Absolute. Thus, similar to the fact that gravity is curves in the space-time continuum along which matter moves reasons are the grooves in the Absolute along which human decision-making occurs. Art allows us to conceptualize, understand, speculate about the grooves (reasons) of the Absolute.Two key points can be drawn from Kreines's position: first, normative values are embedded in reality. Thus, in complete contradistinction to analytic philosophy, there is no bifurcation between the empirical and the normative to exist is to have normative value. Secondly, the role of social science
Trade ReviewI enjoyed reading this engaging and thoughtful work, indeed an entertaining work in an intellectual sense. It draws on popular entertainments, films especially, that shed light on the values and disvalues that pass by us, even while deeply influencing us, in everyday life. Art, and popular art not least, can offer us sources of knowledge of normative values. The book is philosophically informed and helpfully concerned with the contrast of Continental and analytic philosophy, while being refreshingly open to Hegelian possibilities of thought. -- William Desmond, David Cook Chair in Philosophy, Villanova University; Thomas A.F. Kelly Visiting Chair in Philosophy, Maynooth University, Ireland; and professor of philosophy emeritus, Institute of Philosophy, KU Leuven, Belgium
Starting from a metaphysical interpretation of Hegel, but substituting a spritely clarity for Hegel’s impenetrable prose, Gonzalez shows that art, especially popular art, is an expression of ultimate reality. In detailed discussions of some of the most important products of contemporary popular art, Gonzalez investigates how shows such as Game of Thrones, House of Cards, The Man in the High Castle, and other shows convey important truths about our lives and the universe in which we live them. This book teaches important lessons in a highly entertaining way. -- John McCumber, University of California, Los Angeles
Table of ContentsChapter One: Deconstruction versus Reason in the World Chapter Two: The Absolute and Nazi Cinema Chapter Three: Star Trek, Scientism, the Progressive Dialectic, and the Pre- Theoretical Chapter Four: Star Trek and the Ontology of Things Chapter Five: Star Trek, Love, and Instrumental Reason Chapter Six: Justice as Dialectic: Blood Blues versus Dirty Harry Chapter Seven: Nazi Takeover of America: The Man and the High Castle and Star Trek Chapter Eight: Post-9/11 Politics on Television: Veep, House of Cards, Game of Thrones and Star Trek: Enterprise
