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The Philosophy of Popular Culture
The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film
The science fiction genre maintains a remarkable hold on the imagination and enthusiasm of the filmgoing public, captivating large audiences worldwide and garnering ever-larger profits. Science fiction films entertain the possibility of time travel and extraterrestrial visitation and imaginatively transport us to worlds transformed by modern science and technology. They also provide a medium through which questions about personal identity, moral agency, artificial consciousness, and other categories of experience can be addressed. In The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film, distinguished authors explore the storylines, conflicts, and themes of fifteen science fiction film classics, from Metropolis to The Matrix. Editor Steven M. Sanders and a group of outstanding scholars in philosophy, film studies, and other fields raise science fiction film criticism to a new level by penetrating the surface of the films to expose the underlying philosophical arguments, ethical perspectives, and metaphysical views. Sanders's introduction presents an overview and evaluation of each essay and poses questions for readers to consider as they think about the films under discussion.The first section, "Enigmas of Identity and Agency," deals with the nature of humanity as it is portrayed in Blade Runner, Dark City, Frankenstein, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Total Recall. In the second section, "Extraterrestrial Visitation, Time Travel, and Artificial Intelligence," contributors discuss 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Terminator, 12 Monkeys, and The Day the Earth Stood Still and analyze the challenges of artificial intelligence, the paradoxes of time travel, and the ethics of war. The final section, "Brave Newer World: Science Fiction Futurism," looks at visions of the future in Metropolis, The Matrix, Alphaville, and screen adaptations of George Orwell's 1984.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
24 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2020
Generally, I like my philosophy watered down, rather than read from Plato onward in the (translated, in most cases) original, I prefer summaries or surveys or fictional allusions to philosophy (as in Philip Kerr's A Philosophical Investigation). And since I've been watching science fiction films since I was a kid, The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film didn't disappoint. The books brings to the fore questions of identity, time travel, and dystopian fears when discussing (among others) the Terminator, The Matrix, Blade Runner, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and even Godard's Alphaville. Naturally, the philosophers mentioned are more or less 20th century figures, Heidegger, Husserl, Sartre, etc., the notable exception being Descartes whose obvious relation to The Matrix was clear to me on first viewing (though the film itself I always thought was overrated). The book brings unexpected insights to these movies, though at times labored to bring significance to what might seem more like popcorn entertainment, still for one interested in the subject matter, a worthwhile read.
July 6, 2017
I learned so much from this!
"Science fiction is a genre that exploits, probably more than any other, a range of central philosophical themes and topics. Of course, various genres raise philosophical questions. The western and the crime film ask, in different ways, What is justice? The family melodrama and the romantic comedy ask, in different ways, What is love? But it is a feature of science fiction to ask such questions as, What is it to be human? What are the conditions of personal identity? What are the roles played by reason/desire/memory in human existence?"
What Is It To Be Human, Deborah Knight and George McKnight
"...[R]eason had always defined itself in relation to—and against—mythology. And now, with no mythology left, reason goes searching for a new target, and (finding nothing) eventually it turns upon itself."
"The collective unconscious is filled with images of mythology: heroes, gods, monsters, demons, violent nature, magic, and many ancient symbols. And these are repressed and held at bay by reason. Yet, once reason declares itself a myth (in the hands of Nietzsche), and now that reality more closely resembles that of the ancient mythical world, all of those ancient symbols and myths of heroes and demons, all those violent, pluralistic, wild, erotic impulses come bubbling back up to the surface."
The Dialectic Of Enlightenment In Metropolis, Jerold J. Abrams
"You might think here of the commitment-free, risk-free, hedonistic Web surfer, someone who sits in front of a computer screen and bounces mentally and whimsically from one Web site to another, without any ultimate passion or active engagement. Such a form of obsessive detachment from the natural world and from the experience of one’s own body can lead to nihilism, the belief that nothing matters, in the undermining of our commitments and concerns. We would become little more than passive and neutral spectators, gliding from one Internet portal to the next, and our daily lives would follow suit.
Kubrick’s 2001 impels us to ponder the moral, psychological, existential, and even spiritual dangers of our drive to transcend our general state of humanity, particularly the problems that may arise if we ignore the requirements that our physical embodiment imposes upon us."
"Computers and computerized robots do not experience the kinds of sensations and emotions—like those of curiosity and risk and sacrifice and satisfaction—that make us respond to situations in very human ways. Without the range of bodily options and orientations that we as human beings encounter from moment to moment, simply because we are denied by our physical situations and the choices that they impose, machines cannot hope to imitate the full depth and breadth of human intelligence. Thus far, the only computers that have been able to sense and experience—indeed, feel—the world as humans do are those that we see in films."
2001: A Philosophical Odyssey, Kevin L. Stoehr
"Science fiction is a genre that exploits, probably more than any other, a range of central philosophical themes and topics. Of course, various genres raise philosophical questions. The western and the crime film ask, in different ways, What is justice? The family melodrama and the romantic comedy ask, in different ways, What is love? But it is a feature of science fiction to ask such questions as, What is it to be human? What are the conditions of personal identity? What are the roles played by reason/desire/memory in human existence?"
What Is It To Be Human, Deborah Knight and George McKnight
"...[R]eason had always defined itself in relation to—and against—mythology. And now, with no mythology left, reason goes searching for a new target, and (finding nothing) eventually it turns upon itself."
"The collective unconscious is filled with images of mythology: heroes, gods, monsters, demons, violent nature, magic, and many ancient symbols. And these are repressed and held at bay by reason. Yet, once reason declares itself a myth (in the hands of Nietzsche), and now that reality more closely resembles that of the ancient mythical world, all of those ancient symbols and myths of heroes and demons, all those violent, pluralistic, wild, erotic impulses come bubbling back up to the surface."
The Dialectic Of Enlightenment In Metropolis, Jerold J. Abrams
"You might think here of the commitment-free, risk-free, hedonistic Web surfer, someone who sits in front of a computer screen and bounces mentally and whimsically from one Web site to another, without any ultimate passion or active engagement. Such a form of obsessive detachment from the natural world and from the experience of one’s own body can lead to nihilism, the belief that nothing matters, in the undermining of our commitments and concerns. We would become little more than passive and neutral spectators, gliding from one Internet portal to the next, and our daily lives would follow suit.
Kubrick’s 2001 impels us to ponder the moral, psychological, existential, and even spiritual dangers of our drive to transcend our general state of humanity, particularly the problems that may arise if we ignore the requirements that our physical embodiment imposes upon us."
"Computers and computerized robots do not experience the kinds of sensations and emotions—like those of curiosity and risk and sacrifice and satisfaction—that make us respond to situations in very human ways. Without the range of bodily options and orientations that we as human beings encounter from moment to moment, simply because we are denied by our physical situations and the choices that they impose, machines cannot hope to imitate the full depth and breadth of human intelligence. Thus far, the only computers that have been able to sense and experience—indeed, feel—the world as humans do are those that we see in films."
2001: A Philosophical Odyssey, Kevin L. Stoehr
October 22, 2022
What a great deep dive into several sci-fi classics. I was expecting some shallow pop-culture pseudo-analysis of those films, but each one was thoroughly examined with deep philosophical insights and questions.
If you’re into sci-fi and aren’t afraid of going down some philosophical rabbit holes, this book is for you.
If you’re into sci-fi and aren’t afraid of going down some philosophical rabbit holes, this book is for you.
January 14, 2025
У цій книзі корисними будуть тематичні розділи, тобто коли йдеться про фільм або фільми і роздуми навколо. Загальна канва чи методологія залишається доволі розмитою (і мені недостатньо окреслення у вступі про три види підходів серед авторського колективу).
December 13, 2025
It offers insightful philosophical speculations, using science fiction films to present and explore them. An enjoyable read.
September 30, 2023
This is an excellent collection of Sci-Fi films.
This book explores the philosophy behind many popular science fiction films. We get a significant insight into what we should have come away with by watching the films.
While Steven M. Sanders is the editor each film is discussed by a critic who is familiar with that particular film. This book is part of the “Popular Culture” series. Before you say it is just their view or opinion, note that we are reading this to get their take on the philosophy and compare it to our view.
It is helpful to take the time to view the particular film before and after reading this book. As with any text on the subject, your favorite movie may not be in this presentation. However, it is worth reading and knowing what to look for in your favorite movies.
Be sure to notice that this is the process of comparing the story and characters to know philosophers as “The Matrix” (1999), mentions Buddhism, Lewis Carroll, and others. It does not bring up the sci-fi gimmick of manufactured artificial worlds that was earlier written in the Sci-Fi book “Simlacron-3” by Daniel F. Galouye, made into a TV series “World on a Wire”. That is one reference that I miss from this book.
The bottom line is that this book will enhance the experience.
This book explores the philosophy behind many popular science fiction films. We get a significant insight into what we should have come away with by watching the films.
While Steven M. Sanders is the editor each film is discussed by a critic who is familiar with that particular film. This book is part of the “Popular Culture” series. Before you say it is just their view or opinion, note that we are reading this to get their take on the philosophy and compare it to our view.
It is helpful to take the time to view the particular film before and after reading this book. As with any text on the subject, your favorite movie may not be in this presentation. However, it is worth reading and knowing what to look for in your favorite movies.
Be sure to notice that this is the process of comparing the story and characters to know philosophers as “The Matrix” (1999), mentions Buddhism, Lewis Carroll, and others. It does not bring up the sci-fi gimmick of manufactured artificial worlds that was earlier written in the Sci-Fi book “Simlacron-3” by Daniel F. Galouye, made into a TV series “World on a Wire”. That is one reference that I miss from this book.
The bottom line is that this book will enhance the experience.
January 14, 2016
This was great at showing how the different thoughts in philosophy related to film. It made me think about how this applies to my writing and how I view films. It also made me want to learn more about philosophy. An inspiring book.
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May 14, 2013One of the better pop culture / philosophy books. Scan the list of movies, if you're familiar with most of them and have at least a passing interest in philosophy, you'll have a good read.
October 20, 2014
For anyone that has watch multiple science ficton movies this is a great gateway into some of the fundamental philosophical questions.
November 18, 2016
I rrreally wanted to give 5/5, but the chapters on 2001 and 1984 were simply squeezed out of thin air.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews