An in-depth look at the philosophical issues behind HBO's Game of Thrones television series and the books that inspired it George R.R. Martin's New York Times bestselling epic fantasy book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, and the HBO television show adapted from it, have earned critical acclaim and inspired fanatic devotion. This book delves into the many philosophical questions that arise in this complex, character-driven series, including: Is it right for a "good" king to usurp the throne of a "bad" one and murder his family? How far should you go to protect your family and its secrets? In a fantasy universe with medieval mores and ethics, can female characters reflect modern feminist ideals? Timed for the premiere of the second season of the HBO Game of Thrones seriesGives new perspectives on the characters, storylines, and themes of Game of ThronesDraws on great philosophers from ancient Greece to modern America to explore intriguing topics such as the strange creatures of Westeros, the incestuous relationship of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, and what the kings of Westeros can show us about virtue and honor (or the lack thereof) as they play their game of thrones Essential reading for fans, Game of Thrones and Philosophy will enrich your experience of your favorite medieval fantasy series.
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An in-depth look at the philosophical issues behind HBO's Game of Thrones television series and the books that inspired it George R.R.
FOREWORD by Elio M. Garcia and Linda Antonsson ix A RAVE N FROM HOUSE WI LEY: Editor’s Note on Spoilers xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: How I Was Spared from Having to Take the Black xv Introduction: So What if Winter Is Coming? 1Henry Jacoby PART ONE “YOU WIN OR YOU DIE” 1 Maester Hobbes Goes to King’s Landing 5Greg Littmann 2 It Is a Great Crime to Lie to a King 19Don Fallis 3 Playing the Game of Thrones: Some Lessons from Machiavelli 33Marcus Schulzke 4 The War in Westeros and Just War Theory 49Richard H. Corrigan PART TWO “THE THINGS I DO FOR LOVE” 5 Winter Is Coming!: The Bleak Quest for Happiness in Westeros 63Eric J. Silverman 6 The Death of Lord Stark: The Perils of Idealism 75David Hahn 7 Lord Eddard Stark, Queen Cersei Lannister: Moral Judgments from Different Perspectives 87Albert J. J. Anglberger and Alexander Hieke 8 It Would Be a Mercy: Choosing Life or Death in Westeros and Beyond the Narrow Sea 99Matthew Tedesco PART THREE “WINTER IS COMING” 9 Wargs, Wights, and Wolves That Are Dire: Mind and Metaphysics, Westeros Style 115Henry Jacoby 10 Magic, Science, and Metaphysics in A Game of Thrones 129Edward Cox 11 “You Know Nothing, Jon Snow”: Epistemic Humility Beyond the Wall 142Abraham P. Schwab 12 “Why Is the World So Full of Injustice?”: Gods and the Problem of Evil 154Jaron Daniël Schoone PART FOUR “THE MAN WHO PASSES THE SENTENCE SHOULD SWING THE SWORD” 13 Why Should Joffrey Be Moral If He Has Already Won the Game of Thrones? 169Daniel Haas 14 The Moral Luck of Tyrion Lannister 183Christopher Robichaud 15 Dany’s Encounter with the Wild: Cultural Relativism in A Game of Thrones 194Katherine Tullman 16 “There Are No True Knights”: The Injustice of Chivalry 205Stacey Goguen PART FIVE “STICK THEM WITH THE POINTY END” 17 Fate, Freedom, and Authenticity in A Game of Thrones 223Michael J. Sigrist 18 No One Dances the Water Dance 236Henry Jacoby 19 The Things I Do For Love: Sex, Lies, and Game Theory 250R. Shannon Duval 20 Stop the Madness!: Knowledge, Power, and Insanity in A Song of Ice and Fire 264Chad William Timm CONTRIBUTORS: The Learned Lords and Ladies from beyond the Seven Kingdoms 279 INDEX: From the Archives at Oldtown 287
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Are honor and virtue necessary for happiness, or do they get in the way? Can wargs, direwolves, and other magical beings reveal truths about consciousness and our own reality? Does prophecy show that we are mere pawns of destiny, or are we free to live authentic lives? If ever a story was ripe for philosophical analysis, George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is. In Westeros and beyond the Narrow Sea, Martin's fantasy world is filled with dozens of complex characters in conflict with themselves and others, facing self-doubt, moral hazard, deception, uncertainty, hubris, and social and political unrest. While the Seven Kingdoms have been plunged into war, beyond the Wall, the horrors of winter are coming. And far away, a young queen wrestles with her destiny as she journeys to reclaim her home. This insightful guide draws on the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Descartes, Augustine, Plato, Aristotle, and many other great philosophers to analyze key characters and plotlines while exploring themes of war, honor, knowledge, morality, gender politics, and more.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781118161999
Publisert
2012-03-09
Utgiver
Vendor
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Vekt
386 gr
Høyde
226 mm
Bredde
150 mm
Dybde
25 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
320

Series edited by
Redaktør

Biographical note

HENRY JACOBY teaches philosophy at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He is the editor of House and Philosophy and a contributor to South Park and Philosophy.

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 Inception and Philosophy, Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy, and Mad Men and Philosophy.