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Plato and Popcorn

A Philosopher's Guide to 75 Thought-Provoking Movies

William G Smith author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:McFarland & Co Inc

Published:7th Jun '04

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Plato and Popcorn cover

Many believe there is nothing like seeing a good movie, one that is enjoyable both in itself and for the thought processes it stimulates. From The Usual Suspects and When Harry Met Sally to Gandhi and The Color Purple, this handbook functions as a guide to watching and reflecting upon 75 great films. The author, a philosophy instructor, presents a text designed to lead readers through a series of intellectual gymnastics; to help strengthen critical thinking abilities and to inspire exciting and philosophical thoughts and discussions.

"Civil Disobedience," "Death," "Fate and Determinism," "War," "Sexism and Women's Issues," "Gay Rights," "The Greatest Happiness Principle," "Anxiety and Inauthenticity" and "The Holocaust" are examples of the 18 different categories into which the films are divided. Each chapter includes the author's introductory comments to be read prior to watching movies along with a section of "Questions to Ponder" to be considered afterward. Photographs of many movie scenes are included throughout the text.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

“thought-provoking...useful”—ARBA; “does a good job of explaining profound philosophies and their proponents”—Harrisburg Pennsylvania Patriot News; “a book that can result in many hours of enjoyment...William Smith has written an amusing, sometimes provocative, and always interesting guide to 75 films...Smith loves films and has an eye for the moral and philosophical questions that often are conveyed by the best of films...a must-read for all film mavens”—Jewish-PostOpinion.com; “always interesting...a must read”—New Jersey Jewish News; “universal appeal...opens up your eyes”—Intelligencer Journal; “digs below the visual”—FilmNewz.

ISBN: 9780786418787

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 11mm

Weight: 299g

216 pages