Philosophy Goes to the Movies

by Falzon,Christop

• ISBN13: 9780415237413
• ISBN10: 0415237416
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-22
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Philosophy Goes to the Moviesis a new kind of introduction to philosophy that makes use of the movies to explore philosophical ideas and positions. From art-house movies likeCinema Paradisoto Hollywood blockbusters likeThe Matrix,the movies we have grown up with provide us with a world of memorable images, events and situations that can be used to illustrate, illuminate and provoke philosophical thought.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	1	(2)
Philosophy and film	3	(4)
The philosophical approach	7	(5)
Overview of the book	12	(5)
Plato's picture show - the theory of knowledge	17	(32)
Plato's cave	19	(6)
Descartes, dreams and demons	25	(8)
Rationalism and empiricism	33	(4)
Is seeing believing?	37	(3)
Kant and relativism	40	(5)
The truth and nothing but	45	(4)
All of Me - the self and personal identity	49	(32)
Plato and the parts of the soul	52	(8)
Descartes and dualism	60	(8)
Locke and personal identity	68	(6)
Kant, personhood and moral worth	74	(7)
Crimes and Misdemeanors - moral philosophy	81	(34)
The ring of Gyges	84	(4)
Plato and inner balance	88	(4)
Religion and morality	92	(3)
Kant: doing one's duty	95	(6)
Utiliarianism	101	(6)
Existentialism: absurdity, freedom and bad faith	107	(8)
Antz - social and political philosophy	115	(34)
Plato's ants	117	(4)
Liberalism: the heroic individual	121	(7)
Marxism: the social individual	128	(10)
Three faces of power	138	(11)
Modern Times - society, science and technology	149	(32)
Scientific utopias	152	(6)
Playing God: scientific hubris	158	(6)
Alienation in a technological society	164	(8)
Recent technology, new views	172	(9)
The Holy Grail - critical thinking	181	(31)
Reasoning and arguing	184	(7)
When arguments go wrong	191	(10)
Closed thinking	201	(6)
The importance of being critical	207	(5)
Glossary	212	(6)
Further reading	218	(2)
Bibliography	220	(5)
Index	225