No Exit from Black Mirror
No Exit from Black Mirror Philosophy, Morality, and Decision Making in the Multiverse Listen to David Kyle Johnson discuss all these topics and more on the Black Mirror Cracked podcast. Click here to hear.
Enacting Reflection Through Sci-fi
Enacting Reflection Through Sci-fi Black Mirror & Philosophy Sergio Urueña Editor’s Note: In the following, Sergio Urueña outlines how some Black Mirror stories—the ones that seem to have a certain dose of reality wrapped in halos of fantasy—not only tell something about our social realities but could also shape reality itself. Science Fiction & Philosophy How…
Philosophy in Film
PHILOSOPHY IN FILM Leander P. Marquez Editor’s note: Black Mirror and Philosophy: Dark Reflections treats Black Mirror as a work of philosophy—as if it each episode is trying to raise a philosophical question or make a philosophical point. In the following piece, Leander Marquez (who helped the editor write the introduction to Black Mirror…
Aristotelian Tragedy in Black Mirror
Aristotelian Tragedy in Black Mirror Matt Hummel Black Mirror’s delightfully macabre blend of sci-fi horror stories is fascinating for myriad reasons, one of which has to be the fact it’s comprised of just that: stories. Unlike more traditional series, each Black Mirror episode must introduce characters, construct a setting and plot, and create and eventually…
Choose Your Own Philosophical Adventure with Bandersnatch
Choose Your Own Philosophical Adventure with Bandersnatch The Black Mirror episode “Bandersnatch” was called a “choose your own adventure” story. Given its multiple timelines and multiple endings, it raised multiple philosophical questions. For the new book Black Mirror and Philosophy: Dark Reflections, contributor Chris Lay and editor David Kyle Johnson put together a “choose your…
When Saving the World Goes Bad: Timelines and Tribulations in Virtue’s Last Reward
When Saving the World Goes Bad Timelines and Tribulations in Virtue’s Last Reward Brandon Packard Virtue’s Last Reward, the second game in the Zero Escape series, is unique in quite a few ways. As in many story-driven games, the choices you make can dramatically affect the game. However, there are more possible story paths…
“Killing Justice” in The Expanse
“Killing Justice” in The Expanse Jeffery L. Nicholas Leviathan Wakes, the first title in the award winning series The Expanse by James S. A. Corey, is a title that intrigues as it calls to mind Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan. Jim Holden and Joe Miller, the primary protagonists, force us to ask, when is it okay to…
Black Mirror and Philosophy Interview
Listen to David Kyle Johnson discuss Black Mirror and Philosophy here.
Thawing Frozen Hearts with Anna and Elsa
Thawing Frozen Hearts with Anna and Elsa* Jamey Heit At its core, the story of Frozen is about two sisters who love one another but cannot be together. As children, then as adults, a heavy door always keeps Anna and Elsa apart. In the early days of their childhood, Anna jumps into Elsa’s bed…
Moana and the Wonder of Disney Philosophy
Moana and the Wonder of Disney Philosophy Tyler Shores All of philosophy begins with a question. And every good story begins with a question. In Moana (2016) the seemingly straightforward question is: “What if … we fished beyond the reef?” Inspiring feelings of wonder, the question becomes the catalyst for a tale of mythology, philosophical…
The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series 