Description
Book SynopsisTo adjudicate between continental and analytic philosophy this book looks at the Star Trek television series, as well as Nazi cinema. Popular culture is germane to philosophy and contemporary politics because television creators attract viewers by conveying authentic philosophical and political motifs.
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
