Joss Whedon as Philosopher

(Hardback)

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In this book, Dean Kowalski argues that filmmakers can do philosophy when creating a fictional narrative film, and utilizes a careful and extensive analysis of Joss Whedons fictive creationsBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Cabin in the Woods (among others)to establish this thesis. This book appeals to many different readers. For the many admirers of Whedons fictive creations, it offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of his corpus. It reprises many examples and dialogue passages from the far corners of the so-called Whedonverse. Youll get a chance to re-experience your favorite dramatic moments, and think about them in novel ways. For popular culture scholars, it offers illustrations of various philosophical theories, explains how those theories pertain to relevant data points in Whedons oeuvre, and assesses whether, or to what extent, they have real-world application. For philosophers of film, it explicates crucial issues germane to the film-as-philosophy debate, but also expands them to televisionall in the attempt to demonstrate why it is that Whedon ought to be included among those rare filmmakers who engage the philosophical process via their artistry.

Reviews

Dean Kowalskis Joss Whedon as Philosopher confirms what we have long suspected, that there is a great deal of philosophical gold to be mined from the Whedonverse. Kowalski expertly guides the reader through the many philosophical insights and provocations that can be found in Whedons works, from Buffy, Angel and Firefly, to the Avengers films, Cabin in the Woods and Dollhouse. He shows how Whedons creations have much to tell us about authenticity and the good life, rights and personhood, ethics and religion, free will and determinism, and more besides. In the second part, the book offers some meditations of its own on the very idea of film (and television) as philosophy all the better to confirm that Whedon can readily be numbered among those who, in the act of filmmaking, actually do philosophy. -- Chris Falzon, University of Newcastle

Author Bio

Dean A. Kowalski is professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha.