Philosophy Through Film

by Litch; Mary M.

• ISBN13: 9780415997447
• ISBN10: 0415997445
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-01-25
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Some of the world's best-loved films can be used as springboards for examining enduring philosophical questions. Philosophy Through Film provides guidance in how to watch films with an eye for their philosophical content, helping students become familiar with key topics in all of the major areas in Western philosophy, and helping them master the techniques of philosophical argumentation.The perfect size and scope for a first course in philosophy, Philosophy Through Film assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy. It is an excellent teaching resource and learning tool, introducing students to key topics and figures in philosophy through thematic chapters, each of which is linked to one or more focus films that illustrate a philosophical problem or topic.Revised and expanded, the Second Edition features a new chapter on political philosophy, an introductory chapter explaining how to watch films philosophically, an appendix with primary readings, and the addition of five new focus films. Films examined in depth include:The MatrixVanilla SkyHilary and JackieMementoI, RobotMinority ReportCrimes and MisdemeanorsAntzEquilibriumThe Seventh SealThe RaptureLeaving Las Vegas

Author Biography

Mary M. Litch has taught Philosophy at Yale University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She is currently Director of Academic Technology and Digital Media at Chapman University, where she also teaches Philosophy.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Skepticism	p. 8
Relativism	p. 38
Personal Identity	p. 68
Artificial Intelligence	p. 92
Free Will, Determinism, and Moral Responsibility	p. 118
Ethics	p. 143
Political Philosophy	p. 167
The Problem of Evil	p. 188
Existentialism	p. 209
Notes	p. 227
Appendix: Story Lines of Films by Elapsed Time	p. 236
Readings from Primary Sources	p. 264
"Allegory of the Cave" (from The Republic)	p. 266
Excerpts from A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge	p. 273
Excerpts from Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics	p. 285
Excerpts from The Structure of Scientific Revolutions	p. 288
Excerpts from An Essay Concerning Human Understanding	p. 292
Excerpts from A Treatise of Human Nature	p. 298
Excerpts from "Computing Machinery and Intelligence"	p. 305
Excerpts from "Minds, Brains, and Programs"	p. 311
Excerpts from an Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding	p. 317
Excerpts from "Existentialism is a Humanism "	p. 327
Excerpts from Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals	p. 336
Excerpts from Utilitarianism	p. 343
Excerpts from Leviathan	p. 348
Excerpts from On Liberty	p. 355
Excerpts from On Free Choice of the Will	p. 362
"The Myth of Sisyphus"	p. 367
Index	p. 370
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