Philosophy Goes to the Movies: An Introduction to Philosophy (2º

Philosophy Goes to the Movies is a new kind of introduction to philosophy that makes use of film to help us understand philosophical ideas and positions. Drawing on a wide range of films from around the world - and the ideas of a diverse selection of thinkers from Plato and Descartes to Marcuse and Foucault - Christopher Falzon introduces and discusses central areas of philosophical concern, including:

* the theory of knowledge
* the self and personal identity
* ethics
* social and political philosophy
* critical thinking

Ideal for beginners, this book guides the reader through philosophy using lively and illuminating cinematic examples including Proof, Mulholland Drive, Bowling for Columbine, Nosferatu and Wings of Desire.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. Introduction. Philosophy and Film. The Philosophical Approach. Overview of the Book. 1. Plato´s Picture Show: the Theory of Knowledge Plato’s Cave. Descartes, Dreams and Demons. Rationalism and Empiricism. Is Seeing Believing? Kant and Relativism. The Truth and Nothing But. 2. All of Me: The Self and Personal Identity Plato and the Parts of the Soul. Descartes and Dualism. Locke and Personal Identity. Kant, Personhood and Moral Worth. 3. Crimes and Misdemeanors: Moral Philosophy The Ring of Gyges. Plato and Inner Balance. Religion and Morality. Kant: Doing One’s Duty. Utilitarianism. Existentialism: Absurdity, Freedom and Bad Faith. 4. Antz: Social and Political Philosophy Plato´s Ants. Liberalism: the Heroic Individual. Marxism: the Social Individual. Three Faces of Power. 5. Modern Times: Society, Science and Technology Scientific Utopias. Playing God: Scientific Hubris Alienation in a Technological Society. Recent Technology, New Views. 6. The Holy Grail: Critical Thinking Reasoning and Arguing. When Arguments Go Wrong. Closed Thinking. The Importance of Being Critical. Further Reading. Glossary. Bibliography. Index