Harry Potter has been heralded as one of the most popular book series of all time and the philosophical nature of Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s quest to rid the world of its ultimate evil is one of the many things that make this series special. The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy covers all seven titles in J.K. Rowling’s groundbreaking series and takes fans back to Godric’s Hollow to discuss life after death, to consider what moral reasoning drove Harry to choose death, and to debate whether Sirius Black is a man or a dog.

With publication timed to coincide with the release of the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), this book will be the definitive guide for all fans looking to appreciate the series on a deeper level.

• Covers a range of intriguing topics such as the redemption of Severus Snape, the power of love, and destiny in the wizarding world
• Gives you a new perspective on Harry Potter characters, plot lines, and themes
• Makes a perfect companion to the Harry Potter books and movies

Packed with interesting ideas and insights, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy is an ideal companion for anyone interested in unraveling the subtext and exploring the greater issues at work in the story.

Expanded and up-to-date — the ultimate guide that explores meaning and philosophy of all six seasons of Lost

Lost is more than just a popular television show; it’s a complex examination of meaningful philosophical questions. What does good versus evil mean on the island? Is it a coincidence that characters John Locke and Desmond David Hume are named after actual philosophers? What is the ethics of responsibility for Jack?

An action-adventure story with more than a touch of the metaphysical, Lost forces viewers to ask difficult questions of themselves just as the story asks difficult questions of its characters. Ultimate Lost and Philosophy helps you explore the deeper meaning and philosophical questions hidden within every complex twist and turn in the historic show’s entire six-season run.

• Includes every season of Lost, including 2010’s final, highly anticipated season
• Connects events on the show to core philosophical issues such as truth, identity, and morality
• Explores a host of intriguing topics such as time travel, freedom, love, and loss

For fans of Lost who are interested in what the show reveals about ourselves and the human condition, Ultimate Lost and Philosophy is an entertaining, informative, and enlightening resource. ]]> http://andphilosophy.com/ultimate-lost-and-philosophy/feed/ 0 http://andphilosophy.com/twilight-and-history/ http://andphilosophy.com/twilight-and-history/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:06:59 +0000 Ellen http://andphilosophy.com/?p=671 http://andphilosophy.com/twilight-and-history/feed/ 0 http://andphilosophy.com/dexter-and-philosophy/ http://andphilosophy.com/dexter-and-philosophy/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:21:50 +0000 Ellen http://andphilosophy.com/dexter-and-philosophy/ http://andphilosophy.com/dexter-and-philosophy/feed/ 0 http://andphilosophy.com/true-blood-and-philosophy/ http://andphilosophy.com/true-blood-and-philosophy/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:29:19 +0000 Ellen http://andphilosophy.com/?p=577 Does God hate fangs?

Is Sam still Sam when he turns into a collie?

Is coming out of the coffin the same as coming out of the closet?

Are all vampires created evil?

Vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, fairies, telepaths—True Blood has it all. In a world where supernatural creatures coexist with human beings, Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton wrestle with powerful desires while facing complex issues concerning sex, romance, bigotry, violence, death, and immortality. Now, True Blood and Philosophy calls on the minds of some of history’s great thinkers to perform some philosophical bloodletting on this thought-provoking series. From the metaphysics of mind reading to Maryann Forrester’s cult of Dionysus, from vampire politics to the nature of personal identity, and from contemporary feminism to the rights of nonhuman species, True Blood and Philosophy mines the thinking of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and John Rawls to enlighten us on the intriguing themes that surround this supernatural world. You’ll find no shortage of juicy metaphysical morsels to sink your teeth into!

Is immoral behavior no laughing matter?

Can Devon Banks choose his sexual orientation?

Is that a dealbreaker?

Hello, dummy. Wait! Don’t stop reading. This is really important. I’m dying. Okay, that was a lie. It’s about this TV show I love. I recently discovered that I’m a 30 Rock addict. From Jack Donaghy’s management advice to the things Liz Lemon has to do just to get a show on the air every week, 30 Rock raises all kinds of ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues. Okay, it’s not like reading Wittgenstein, but it makes you wise. Like a genetically manipulated shark. Every essay in 30 Rock and Philosophy takes some of my favorite scenes from the show and uses them to explain important philosophical issues. Even the most esoteric ideas become understandable when Kenneth is involved. So if you watch the show for Tracy’s antics, Dr. Spaceman’s medical advice, or just to look at Tina Fey, read this book and you’ll walk away knowing about the Frankfurt School, Aristotle, and Jack Donaghy’s sordid love life. Now that we have that out of the way, I have an idea for a business that could make us both millionaires. One word: floppy disks.