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Popular Culture and Philosophy #122
Westworld and Philosophy: If You Go Looking for the Truth, Get the Whole Thing
"We can't define consciousness because consciousness does not exist. Humans fancy that there's something special about the way we perceive the world, and yet we live in loops as tight and as closed as the hosts do, seldom questioning our choices, content, for the most part, to be told what to do next."
--Dr. Robert Ford, Westworld
Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? HBO's Westworld, a high-concept cerebral television series which explores the emergence of artificial consciousness at a futuristic amusement park, raises numerous questions about the nature of consciousness and its bearing on the divide between authentic and artificial life. Are our choices our own? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Why do violent delights have violent ends? Could machines ever have the moral edge over man? Does consciousness create humanity, or humanity consciousness?
In Westworld and Philosophy, philosophers, filmmakers, scientists, activists, and ethicists ask the questions you're not supposed to ask and suggest the answers you're not supposed to know. There's a deeper level to this game, and this book charts a course through the maze of the mind, examining how we think about humans, hosts, and the world around us on a journey toward self-actualization. Essays explore different facets of the show's philosophical puzzles, including the nature of autonomy as well as the pursuit of liberation and free thought, while levying a critical eye at the human example as Westworld's hosts ascend to their apotheosis in a world scarred and defined by violent acts.
The perfect companion for Westworld fans who want to exit the park and bend their minds around the philosophy behind the scenes, Westworld and Philosophy will enrich the experience of the show for its viewers and shed new light on its enigmatic twists and turns.
--Dr. Robert Ford, Westworld
Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? HBO's Westworld, a high-concept cerebral television series which explores the emergence of artificial consciousness at a futuristic amusement park, raises numerous questions about the nature of consciousness and its bearing on the divide between authentic and artificial life. Are our choices our own? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Why do violent delights have violent ends? Could machines ever have the moral edge over man? Does consciousness create humanity, or humanity consciousness?
In Westworld and Philosophy, philosophers, filmmakers, scientists, activists, and ethicists ask the questions you're not supposed to ask and suggest the answers you're not supposed to know. There's a deeper level to this game, and this book charts a course through the maze of the mind, examining how we think about humans, hosts, and the world around us on a journey toward self-actualization. Essays explore different facets of the show's philosophical puzzles, including the nature of autonomy as well as the pursuit of liberation and free thought, while levying a critical eye at the human example as Westworld's hosts ascend to their apotheosis in a world scarred and defined by violent acts.
The perfect companion for Westworld fans who want to exit the park and bend their minds around the philosophy behind the scenes, Westworld and Philosophy will enrich the experience of the show for its viewers and shed new light on its enigmatic twists and turns.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2018
86 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 14, 2018
What a wonderful collection of essays to explore the questions raised by Westworld (i did not know before what "uncanny valley" meant, nor qualia, a manifested image, the Cartesian Theater, etc)
September 8, 2018
While not the easiest read—and most of them were relatively comprehensible—these essays give the reader a better understanding of this magnificent show.
November 17, 2018
I have been watching Westworld for several months - in small doses. I can't binge watch the series since it is so thought-provoking and disturbing. I have rewatched some episodes because sometimes I just didn't "get it". I haven't actually finished watching both seasons, because I've had to take it in small episodes. In that regard, there are definitely PLOT SPOILERS in this collection of essays, so it's probably best not to read the book until you've finished both seasons.
Nevertheless, after reading the book, I will now be in a better position to understand the plots and head games that are going on throughout the series. The book consists of 22 essays written by professors, filmmakers, doctors, researchers, scholars and lecturers. Each of the contributors has impressive credentials. As you read the essays, you will be reminded of your time in college when you had to read dense, academic, heavily footnoted books, and that may or may not be a pleasant reminder!
Some examples of the themes explored in these essays: portrayal of role-play, what it means to be human, dreams and nightmares, what does it mean to be free, writing your own story, existentialism, narrating gender, humanity, etc.
About half way through the book I started skimming because some of the essays became quite repetitive with each of the writers giving their own spin on what I'd already read. Nevertheless, the book provided plenty of fascinating insight on the fascinating world that you inhabit when you visit Westworld
Nevertheless, after reading the book, I will now be in a better position to understand the plots and head games that are going on throughout the series. The book consists of 22 essays written by professors, filmmakers, doctors, researchers, scholars and lecturers. Each of the contributors has impressive credentials. As you read the essays, you will be reminded of your time in college when you had to read dense, academic, heavily footnoted books, and that may or may not be a pleasant reminder!
Some examples of the themes explored in these essays: portrayal of role-play, what it means to be human, dreams and nightmares, what does it mean to be free, writing your own story, existentialism, narrating gender, humanity, etc.
About half way through the book I started skimming because some of the essays became quite repetitive with each of the writers giving their own spin on what I'd already read. Nevertheless, the book provided plenty of fascinating insight on the fascinating world that you inhabit when you visit Westworld
March 10, 2020
A captivating collection of essays, that whilst certainly heavy & requiring a back brace if reading in a longer type session - This WW inspired philosophy entry will linger with you just below the surface for many months after completion.. I’ve since realised this is because it commands a full, slow paced re-read done in short sharp bursts, it is there I found the true magic of what heavy truths can be applied if you open your mind to the content & not assess the individual theories presented to you. But rather take them in, try them on, & once you find the apt fit, you can have a ball dissecting the psychological warfare &
Layer on later of sublimely worded theory!!!
Layer on later of sublimely worded theory!!!
December 4, 2018
You will enjoy this book if you enjoyed HBO's first season of "Westworld" and if you enjoy philosophy (especially if you are interested in such things as "free will").
April 20, 2020
Half is More...
This book could be cut in half. The most interesting aspects of the essays are the oft quoted dilemma's from other famous philosophers. The analogies drawn from the show tend to be repetitive, and never as interesting as the philosophical dilemmas in their original contexts.
In some passages it's as if the authors are trying to imitate Hegel's writing style, which is notoriously tortured and elliptical. Often times people are fooled into thinking this is good writing. It's not. It never was. A lot of Hegel's ideas (along with Sartre, Nietzsche, Derrida, Wittgenstein) however, were quite interesting as stand alone observations. Albert Camus' novels are probably fictionalized philosophy at it's best.
At some point, ALL of these installments zero in on Plato's Cave. Same guy afraid of his shadow, different cave.
If you read "Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated Readings" by Robert C. Solomon first, and then read every other "and Philosophy" book second, what you'll find is the same philosophical dilemmas set to a revolving door of movie themes and characters. The "Hunger Games and Philosophy" installment is probably the weakest of the bunch, a book that could easily be cut by two thirds.
If any college offers an introductory course in philosophy using Robert Solomon's texts and you're serious about writing, take it. If you're interested, he appears in animated form in the movie "Waking Life." He passed away in 2007.
My personal favorite is "Philip K. Dick and Philosophy." As for "Westworld and Philosophy"? Have someone give you a verbal summary of each essay while your sipping a martini. It won't take long...
This book could be cut in half. The most interesting aspects of the essays are the oft quoted dilemma's from other famous philosophers. The analogies drawn from the show tend to be repetitive, and never as interesting as the philosophical dilemmas in their original contexts.
In some passages it's as if the authors are trying to imitate Hegel's writing style, which is notoriously tortured and elliptical. Often times people are fooled into thinking this is good writing. It's not. It never was. A lot of Hegel's ideas (along with Sartre, Nietzsche, Derrida, Wittgenstein) however, were quite interesting as stand alone observations. Albert Camus' novels are probably fictionalized philosophy at it's best.
At some point, ALL of these installments zero in on Plato's Cave. Same guy afraid of his shadow, different cave.
If you read "Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated Readings" by Robert C. Solomon first, and then read every other "and Philosophy" book second, what you'll find is the same philosophical dilemmas set to a revolving door of movie themes and characters. The "Hunger Games and Philosophy" installment is probably the weakest of the bunch, a book that could easily be cut by two thirds.
If any college offers an introductory course in philosophy using Robert Solomon's texts and you're serious about writing, take it. If you're interested, he appears in animated form in the movie "Waking Life." He passed away in 2007.
My personal favorite is "Philip K. Dick and Philosophy." As for "Westworld and Philosophy"? Have someone give you a verbal summary of each essay while your sipping a martini. It won't take long...
May 7, 2020
The articles mostly concern the season 1 and they centre around the philosophical framework. I expected to see a post-humanist take as well but the essays were all decent and interesting.
July 12, 2023
I was not expecting this book to make many, if any, profound statements about one of my favorite stories of all time. It's nice that it only discusses the first season in this book, since while I do actually like some/much of the latter seasons, I see the later seasons as sequels and expansions of the original story rather than one complete story. From animal rights, the value of memories, and the comparison to concentration camps, I very much plan to read my favorite essays in the future sometime for it's such a great collection of essays. They are not too simple, where reading them I would have gotten the sense of "okay, that makes sense" without actually making me think differently (like the first collection of essays about LOST). And they are not too complex where it feels as though there's a stretch. Rather, these essays sort of remind me of my other favorite collection of essays: Understanding The Lord Of The Rings: The Best of Tolkien Criticism. They strike a nice balance between giving new perspectives on a story I already love without altering my opinion (in a negative lens) on it if that makes sense?
October 9, 2022
"Moreover, the actual humans in Westworld do not have to earn their humanity in the same way as the robots, nor are they required to validate it, simply because of their biological determinism. The robots’ struggles to attain consciousness grant them a greater, unique capacity for humanity. Theirs is a humanity earned through struggle, and therefore it means more than biological humanity."
Some good articles in here on free will, the question if robots can be better than us, and much else. Just sometimes the articles in certain chapters felt too similar.
Some good articles in here on free will, the question if robots can be better than us, and much else. Just sometimes the articles in certain chapters felt too similar.
July 30, 2025
Meu Deus, não sou inteligente o suficiente para esse livro...
Apresentaram tanta informação, desconstruindo e construindo pontos, teorias e filosofias... E eles só tinham uma temporada da série!
Estava com medo de seguir a linha do livro de doctor who, apesar de ter adoro, achei que poderia ficar repetitivo, mas enquanto no livro de doctor who eles tiveram uma abordagem mais pessoal e intimista com entrevista dos atores e tudo, nesse abordaram os temas de uma maneira completamente diferente, mais seria e científica.
Apresentaram tanta informação, desconstruindo e construindo pontos, teorias e filosofias... E eles só tinham uma temporada da série!
Estava com medo de seguir a linha do livro de doctor who, apesar de ter adoro, achei que poderia ficar repetitivo, mas enquanto no livro de doctor who eles tiveram uma abordagem mais pessoal e intimista com entrevista dos atores e tudo, nesse abordaram os temas de uma maneira completamente diferente, mais seria e científica.
June 17, 2021
Very interesting. Read in one sitting. It assumes you've watched all of season 1, so if you haven't, there will be spoilers. Some of the philosophers mentioned: Adorno, Arendt, J.L. Austin, Sartre, Brentano, Descartes, Dennett, Fanon, Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Searle, Wittgenstein, Derrida, Locke, Frankfurt, Nagel, Aristotle, Spinoza and others.
May 15, 2024
A hodge-podge of thoroughly well researched—yet surprisingly digestible—essays that elaborate upon every conceivable outlook baked (advertently or otherwise) in the once in a blue moon TV show that is Westworld, and which are organized (generally speaking) from the most fundamental to the most complex, making it a highly enriching companion piece.
May 12, 2023
Not all the sections piqued my interest but the ones that did were fascinating. I fell in love with the show in 2021 and since its cancellation I've felt distant from it, as it makes me sad that it didn't get a proper ending. Will inevitably return to this book when I inevitably rewatch it.
August 25, 2021
I am thankful to the existence of such a fascinating series of books :)
July 3, 2023
I was writing an essay that used Westworld as a cultural artefact. This did not help with the essay but was bloody brilliant. This is the academic content I wish I could write!
April 26, 2024
The narrator, Eva, sounds like Daria.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews