Final Fantasy and Philosophy: The Ultimate Walkthrough

by Series Editor: William Irwin (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania); Editor: Jason P. Blahuta; Editor: Michel S. Beaulieu

• ISBN13: 9780470730423
• ISBN10: 0470730420
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-09-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

An unauthorized look behind one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, Final FantasyThe Final Fantasy universe is packed with compelling characters and incredible storylines. In this book, you'll take a fascinating look at the deeper issues that Final Fantasy forces players to think about while trying to battle their way to the next level, such as: Does Cloud really exist (or should we really care)? Is Kefka really insane? Are Moogles part of a socialist conspiracy? Does the end of the game justify the means?As Mages, Moogles, fiends, and Kefka are mashed together with the likes of Machiavelli, Marx, Foucault, and Kafka, you'll delve into crucial topics such as madness, nihilism, environmental ethics, Shintoism, the purpose of life, and much more.Examines the philosophical issues behind one of the world's oldest and most popular video-game series Offers new perspectives on Final Fantasy characters and themes Gives you a psychological advantage--or at least a philosophical one--against your Final Fantasy enemies Allows you to apply the wisdom of centuries of philosophy to any game in the series, including Final Fantasy XIIIGuaranteed to add a new dimension to your understanding of the Final Fantasy universe, this book is the ultimate companion to the ultimate video-game series.

Table of Contents

Instruction Booklet

Basic Controls And Understanding Your Characters

The Spiky-Haired Mercenary vs. the French Narrative Theorist: Final Fantasy VII and the Writerly Text

Kefka, Nietzsche, Foucault: Madness and Nihilism in Final Fantasy VI

Judging the Art of Video Games: Hume and the Standard of Taste

Playing The Game-But What If It'S Not A Game?

The Lifestream, Mako, and Gaia

Gaia and Environmental Ethics in The Spirits Within

Objectifi cation of Conscious Life Forms in Final Fantasy

Abi L I T Ies You Never Knew You Had

Final Fantasy and the Purpose of Life

The Four Warriors of Light Saved the World, but They Don't Deserve Our Thanks

Side Quests Of The Enlightened

Shinto and Alien Infl uences in Final Fantasy VII

Kupo for Karl and the Materialist Conception of History

Sin, Otherworldliness, and the Downside to Hope

Other Ways To Enjoy The Game So It Never Ends

Human, All Too Human: Cloud's Existential Quest for Authenticity

Is the Fear of Stopping Justifi ed?

What's in a Name? Cid, Cloud, and How Names Refer

Contributors: Party Menu

Index: Game Tips

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.