The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy
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Home > Religion, Philosophy & Sprituality > Philosophy > The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke(The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series)
The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke(The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series)

The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke(The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series)


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About the Book

A lighthearted meditation on the philosophical quandaries of the hit television show The Big Bang Theory Ever wonder what Aristotle might say about the life Sheldon Cooper leads? Why Thomas Hobbes would applaud the roommate agreement? Who Immanuel Kant would treat with "haughty derision" for weaving "un-unravelable webs?" And—most importantly—whether Wil Wheaton is truly evil? Of course you have. Bazinga! This book mines the deep thinking of some of history's most potent philosophical minds to explore your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its nerdy genius characters. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force-chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa-loompa-like engineers. Fo-shizzle. Gives you irresistibly geek-worthy insights on your favorite Big Bang Theory characters, story lines, and ideas Examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition Brings the thinking of some of the world's greatest philosophers to bear on The Big Bang Theory, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and more Essential reading for every Big Bang Theory fan, this book explores whether comic-book-wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God."

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments ix Introduction: “Unraveling the Mysteries” 1 Part One “It All Began On A Warm Summer’s Evening In Greece”: Aristotelian Insights 1 Aristotle on Sheldon Cooper: Ancient Greek Meets Modern Geek 7 Greg Littmann 2 “You’re a Sucky, Sucky Friend”: Seeking Aristotelian Friendship in The Big Bang Theory 21 Dean A. Kowalski 3 The Big Bang Theory on the Use and Abuse of Modern Technology 35 Kenneth Wayne Sayles III Part Two “Is It Wrong To Say I Love Our Killer Robot?”: Ethics And Virtue 4 Feeling Bad about Feeling Good: Is It Morally Wrong to Laugh at Sheldon? 51 W. Scott Clifton 5 . . . But Is Wil Wheaton Evil? 65 Donna Marie Smith 6 Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?: Pleasure, Selfishness, and Virtue in The Big Bang Theory 80 Gregory L. Bock and Jeffrey L. Bock Part Three “Perhaps You Mean A Different Thing Than I Do When You Say ‘Science’”: Science, Scientism, And Religion 7 Getting Fundamental about Doing Physics in The Big Bang Theory 99 Jonathan Lawhead 8 Sheldon, Leonard, and Leslie: The Three Faces of Quantum Gravity 112 Andrew Zimmerman Jones 9 The One Paradigm to Rule Them All: Scientism and The Big Bang Theory 128 Massimo Pigliucci 10 Cooper Considerations: Science, Religion, and Family 144 Adam Barkman and Dean A. Kowalski Part Four “I Need Your Opinion On A Matter Of Semiotics”: Language And Meaning 11 Wittgenstein and Language Games in The Big Bang Theory 161 Janelle Pötzsch 12 “I’m Afraid You Couldn’t Be More Wrong!”: Sheldon and Being Right about Being Wrong 175 Adolfas Mackonis 13 The Cooper Conundrum: Good Lord, Who’s Tolerating Whom? 189 Ruth E. Lowe 14 The Mendacity Bifurcation 203 Don Fallis Part Five “The Human Experience That Has Always Eluded Me”: The Human Condition 15 Mothers and Sons of The Big Bang Theory 219 Ashley Barkman 16 Penny, Sheldon, and Personal Growth through Difference 233 Nicholas G. Evans 17 Deconstructing the Women of The Big Bang Theory: So Much More Than Girlfriends 244 Mark D. White and Maryanne L. Fisher The Episode Compendium: “Hey, It’s a Big Menu—There’s Two Pages Just for Desserts” 257 Contributors:“But If We Were Part of the Team . . . We Could Drink for Free in Any Bar in Any College Town” 261 Index: “Cornucopia . . . Let’s Make That Our Word of the Day” 267

About the Author :
Dean A. Kowalski is an associate professor of philosophy at University of Wisconsin-Waukesha and the author of five books, most recently Moral Theory at the Movies and The Philosophy of Joss Whedon. William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King's College, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen recent titles including House and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy, and Inception and Philosophy.

Review :
“If you’re looking for a straight discussion of philosophy try reading Frederick Copleston’s The History of Philosophy, but if you’re open to learning in a fun environment try this book.   Just remember that this book is first of all a study of philosophy geared to the non-specialist.  The by-product of the book is that you will deepen your understanding of and engagement with the characters in these shows.”  (Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 10 August 2012)  


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Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781118074558
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
  • Publisher Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc
  • Height: 229 mm
  • No of Pages: 288
  • Returnable: N
  • Spine Width: 23 mm
  • Weight: 340 gr
  • ISBN-10: 1118074556
  • Publisher Date: 26 Apr 2012
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Language: English
  • Returnable: N
  • Series Title: The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
  • Sub Title: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke
  • Width: 152 mm


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