Philosophy and film. Maybe he was right.

Philosophy and film. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “philosophical film”? The Matrix, most likely, an obvious example of a movie—or franchise—that explores timeless questions: Who are we? What is reality? Course Description: This course covers issues in philosophy of film, as well as engaging in philosophical themes through the medium of film. Part one is a Jun 19, 2020 · Here are 10 of the best philosophical movies ever made that are sure to make you questioning and considering important facets of your existence. Oct 28, 2011 · One might say, then, that the philosophy of film is more likely than film theory to draw on philosophical methodologies, to consult the work of philosophers, or to be written by professional philosophers. The central question for us is whether the philosophical content of a film is discovered or imposed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Sep 14, 2017 · This Special Issue of Film-Philosophy is dedicated to exploring the relationship between cinema and ethics and the idea of a “cinematic ethics”: the expression and evocation of ethical experience, an experiential approach to thinking through ethics via close critical and philosophical engagement with film. [1][2] Philosophy of film traditionally concerns itself with the reflective study of the nature of film, aiming to spell out what film is, whether it is an art, how it differs from other arts, and so on. The philosophy of film is a branch of aesthetics within the discipline of philosophy that seeks to understand the most basic questions about film. This handbook brings together essays in the philosophy of film and motion pictures from authorities across the spectrum. They explore different aspect of film as an artistic medium, illustrating the range of concerns addressed within the philosophy of film. Class Schedule It gives me great pleasure to introduce the twentieth volume of Film-Philosophy and to inaugurate our new relationship with Edinburgh University Press. 1 But what of philosophy in film? We say In order to clarify this, we can say that “cinema is a humane act that conceptualizes our thoughts by movement and time. Edinburgh Oct 10, 2025 · Philosophy and film theory are intrinsically linked, as they both assess their respective subjects at the most fundamental levels. Jan 19, 2016 · This Special Section arose out of the 2014 Film-Philosophy conference, held at the University of Glasgow, which took as its theme: A World of Cinemas. Join John and Ken as they explore both the philosophy of film and philosophy within film. Suffice it to Dec 20, 2018 · Film, Philosophy, and Reality: Ancient Greece to Godard is an original contribution to film-philosophy that shows how thinking about movies can lead us into a richer appreciation and understanding of both reality and the nature of human experience. Screen-based forms provide an everyday medium for information retrieval, communication, distraction and entertainment. The International Society for Philosophy in Film (ISPiF) promotes philosophical engagement with film by conceiving film as a form or expression of thought. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Livingston Dec 4, 1997 · Abstract While concepts from and debates within continental philosophy have long formed a backdrop to arguments in film theory and criticism, exchanges between Anglo-American ‘analytic’ philosophy and film studies have been relatively few and far between. It describes and clarifies the characteristic methods and strategies of analytic philosophy and film theory, and continental philosophy and film theory. The importance of film-makers’ intentions to FAP is emphasised in Paisley Livingston’s “Theses on Cinema as Philosophy,” The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 64:1 (2006) and in Livingston, Cinema, Philosophy, Bergman. The articles collected for this issue of Film-Philosophy address these and related Feb 14, 2025 · Elon’s “Film and Philosophy” course, funded through the Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences and a Center for the Advancement in Teaching and Learning Mini-Grant, allows students to use older film technology and gain hands-on experience. He is the author of Donald Davidson (McGill-Queen's University Press) and the editor of a revised translation and critical edition of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Broadview Press). This introduction considers the reasons why such an Film and philosophy have much in common, and books have been written on film and philosophy. They are all philosophical movies Chapter 1: Introduction to Film Philosophy Film philosophy is an interdisciplinary field that explores the philosophical implications of film and cinema. Film theorists and philosophers of film have explored not only the philosophical questions raised by cinema as an artform, but also the possibility that cinema might contribute to philosophical understanding or even engage in varieties of "cinematic thinking" that intersect with, without being reducible to, philosophical inquiry. Film, television, Web Studying PHIL 261 Philosophy and Film at California State University, Long Beach? On Studocu you will find practice materials and much more for PHIL 261 CSULB Philosophy 131 In this course, we will view films with philosophical themes and pair them with readings that help us consider them more deeply. It can only be measured in and through individual philosophers' attempts to account for their experience of specific films. In our consideration of philosophical issues and assigned films, we will ask if film is a “philosophical” medium—whether a film can do philosophy—and to what extent, if any, a film can be such a medium. While I didn’t really know exactly what to expect, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was definitely not what I expected. On the screen, issues of reality, self-identity , human relationships and many others are treated and questioned according to the sociocultural contexts of their productions. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Home Philosophers of film and film scholars are increasingly investigating and pursuing non-, anti-, and a-theoretical methods and methodologies in their work. The Companion features sixty specially commissioned chapters from international scholars and is divided into four clear parts: • issues and concepts • authors and trends • genres • film as philosophy. Examples discussed in the book include the recent award This course is a seminar on the philosophical analysis of film art, with an emphasis on the ways in which it creates meaning through techniques that define a formal structure. It offers a sampling of paradigmatic instances of philosophers and philosophical film theorists discussing the movies in a fashion that takes cinema as seriously as any other Fine Art, leaving little doubt that doing philosophy of film is a serious intellectual enterprise. Jul 2, 2025 · According to Hamlet, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in philosophy. PHIL 0054 - Philosophy & Film Instruction Method Online / Virtual Course Description According to Hamlet, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in philosophy. New Takes in Film-Philosophy. Part one is a comprehensive section This class provides an introduction philosophical and aesthetic issues connected with film. These are some of the best philosophical movies out there. Õ. Philosophy and Film moves from broad theoretical reflections on film as a medium to concrete examinations of individual films. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Critical Thinking. What is film-philosophy? Film-philosophy begins with the moving sound-image. Two are most important. He has a BA in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, where he Abstract The introduction discusses the influence of two kinds of philosophy to film theory. Apr 25, 2019 · This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. The Digital and eTextbook ISBNs for Philosophy and Film are 9780429787133, 0429787138 and the print ISBNs are 9781032092959, 1032092955. What Hamlet couldn't know, however, was that today the dreams of philosophy may be made real by movies. PHIL 1062 at The George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Livingston Dec 8, 2019 · In order to define the term “metaphysical films” or “metaphysical movies,” we must first determine what is meant by “metaphysics. Course Description In an earlier time, philosophical thoughts were encountered either on the printed page or through word of mouth. It researches horror film as philosophically relevant access to nothingness (3) and shifts Jul 18, 2024 · New essays on a wide range of topics by both film scholars and philosophers who share the commitment to conceptual investigation, logic consistency, and clarity of argument and characterizes analytic philosophy. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Livingston Apr 20, 2023 · Challenges the presumption that serious philosophical engagement with film and television must be theoretical Demonstrates, by example, ways of doing philosophy of film and film studies without ‘doing theory’ Argues for the power of theory-free philosophy and film studies as a way to expand our humanistic understanding The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film (The Philosophy of Popular Culture) Part of: The Philosophy of Popular Culture (27 books) | by Steven Sanders | Feb 5, 2010 26 Paperback Access study documents, get answers to your study questions, and connect with real tutors for CAS PH 159 : Philosophy and Film at Boston University. The Companion features sixty specially commissioned chapters from international scholars and is divided into four clear parts: issues and concepts authors and trends genres film as philosophy. In 2018, Craig Fox & Britt Harrison coined the phrase “philosophy of film without theory ” to help champion – and focus attention on – such scholarly work and philosophical activity. This chapter provides an overview of film philosophy, its history, and its key concepts. Each chapter incorporates two or three films to examine one longstanding philosophical question or problem and assess some of the best solutions that have been Jul 28, 2015 · The main topics currently pursued in philosophy of film are described below, but with more work on different kinds of film, as well as on specific film genres and filmmaking traditions, new topics will undoubtedly emerge. The journal also provides a forum for the thoughtful re-evaluation of key aspects of both film studies and philosophy as academic disciplines. Apr 29, 2019 · This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. Aug 1, 2025 · This course uses film to examine and highlight fundamental problems in philosophy as well as to pay special attention to philosophical issues in the medium of film. The Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Film is the first comprehensive volume to explore the main themes, topics, thinkers and issues in philosophy and film. From the perspective of ISPiF, to engage films philosophically means to think through, along with Aug 11, 2025 · Abstract Thoughtful Cinema: Illustrating Philosophy Through Film presents an innovative answer to the question of how films do philosophy, a hotly debated question among philosophers of film and film theorists. Macedonia. I will generally avoid engaging with this topic. The course will be open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Joseph is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Central Missouri and Professor Emeritus at Mills College. A list of the top 25 movies of all time that bring up or involve the big questions about life or things that are usually out of our human control. Allen, Richard and Smith, Murray. But can films be, or do, philosophy? Can they "think"?Fil Film-Philosophy is an international journal dedicated to philosophically reviewing film studies, philosophical aesthetics, and world cinema. Philosophy of Film: Continental Perspectives This article introduces the most important perspectives on film (movies) from the continental philosophical perspective. He completed his MA in Film Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, where he researched film festivals, stardom, and the intersections of theology and classical film theory. Whilst in its early years this made Film-Philosophy something of a rarity, nowadays the increasing movement towards Open Access across so many disciplines Apr 25, 1995 · Philosophy and Film moves from broad theoretical reflections on film as a medium to concrete examinations of individual films. Carroll, Noël and Jinhee Choi, eds. It reads Stanley Cavell’s concept of genre, Timothy Jay Walker’s work on the Horror of the Other (1) and Eugene Thacker’s understanding of philosophical horror (2). I explore the debate surrounding the idea of “film as philosophy”, Prerequisites The only formal prerequisite for this course is at least one previous course in either Philosophy or Art History (or the equivalent thereof in Cinema and Media Studies or the Committee on Visual Arts). It examines how films reflect and shape our understanding of the world, our place in it, and our relationship with others. One might 6 days ago · 3Credit (s)Liberal Arts Film is the dominant art form of our time and has become a fertile area for philosophical study. Litch use recently released, well-received films to explore answers to classic questions in philoso-phy in an approachable yet philosophically rigorous manner. The course will introduce students to basic issues in aesthetics as applied to film, such as the issue of how to understand what constitutes a film, film interpretation and criticism, and aesthetic standards applied to film. The texts include some of the prominent works of Aristotle, Rousseau, Locke, Nietzsche, Marx and Foucault, as well as Apr 21, 2021 · Marc A. Provides thorough selection of readings drawn from philosophy, film studies, and film criticism Multiple points of view highlighted in discussion of film theory, narration, authorship, film and emotion, and the We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Studying PH159 Philosophy and Film at Boston University? On Studocu you will find lecture notes, practice materials, coursework and much more for PH159 BU Oct 11, 2017 · Film, television, computers, mobile devices and other screen-based systems passing through different distribution networks materialize everyday many kinds of moving image–sound products. 002 – Honors: Seminar in Selected Topics (The History and Ethics of Human and Animal Experimentation) Nov 13, 2009 · The philosophy of film is the discussion of philosophical problems related to film, its nature, effects, and value. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. Jan 12, 2024 · Philosophical movies are a unique and powerful form of artistic expression. Film Theory and Philosophy. Philosophy of film has significant overlap with film theory, a branch of film studies. Film has also proven to be an outstanding vehicle for conveying philosophical ideas. decade. 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. Yet much of the philosophy of film is also film theory, and vice versa. Jul 15, 2025 · Great film directors can create and convey philosophical concepts through imagery, just as great philosophers do through language. It boasts contributions from philosophers and film theorists alike, with many essays employing pluralist approaches to this interdisciplinary subject. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. On the other hand, the philosophy of film describes the study of the nature, structures, aesthetics, representations, and ethics of films. The medium of film, although little more than a century old, outpaces virtually all other artistic and communicative media in its powers to mold our beliefs, desires, fears, and even our identities in accordance with its images and narratives—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Film-Philosophy is dedicated to the engagement between film studies and philosophy, exploring the ways in which films develop and contribute to philosophical discussion. Feb 18, 2021 · Badiou’s writing on film is symptomatic of the ambivalent relation between film and philosophy which persists despite some philosophers’ acknowledgement that film is a way of doing philosophy. In the following piece, Leander Marquez (who helped the editor write the introduction to Black Mirror… Philosophy and Film It is hard today to imagine life without movies. Cinematic representations move us in ways that few others do. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Livingston Sep 18, 2024 · The article starts from Gilles Deleuze’s assumption of film being a philosophy in its own right and applies it to the horror genre. Definitions of the topic require more than academic and mechanical experience. Basingstoke; New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. Additional ISBNs for this eTextbook include 9781138351691, 9780429435157, 9780429787126, 9780429787140. Maybe he was right. If we This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. It uniquely brings together scholars working across a range of philosophical traditions and academic disciplines to broaden and advance debates on film and philosophy. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved. May 29, 2025 · Philosophy in film describes the way films can express profound philosophical themes. The course entails an introduction to popular works of Western cinema and their relationship with classical texts of philosophy. Edinburgh University Press. Today, more and more people are being exposed to the world’s deepest thoughts through the medium of film. The moving image generates screen forms and cinematic conditions for things outside those forms. Moreover, Badiou reflects the possibility of a shift from ontology to hermeneutics in the philosophical study of film. [1] The journal has examined various film genres, including horror and science fiction films, and contributed to feminist philosophy of film. This series promises to provide a productive context for that indispensable enterprise. Author Notes Matt Kingcroft is currently an academic librarian at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Save up to 80% versus print by going digital with VitalSource. C. PHIL 390H. “Continental” is not used as a geographical term, but as an abstract concept referring to nineteenth and twentieth century European philosophical traditions exemplified by German idealism, phenomenology, existentialism Course Description This course explores philosophical issues through film. When one does philosophy through film, one seeks to either illuminate some philosophical idea or to make progress on some philosophical issue through a discussion of a movie. It is a venue for scholars who believe that motion pictures are a significant art form that can express philosophical ideas and reward aesthetic analysis. We should distinguish between philosophy in or through film, and the philosophy of or about film. It was established in 1994 and is sponsored by the Society for the Philosophic Study of the Contemporary Visual Arts. In this more modern age, the role played by the book has become subservient to the more rapid and graphic depictions of motion pictures. [2] It has also published May 13, 2021 · 'The true significance of film for philosophy, and of philosophy for film, cannot be established in abstract or general terms. A portion of the course will Some years ago we came together to teach an undergraduate unit entitled ‘Film and Literature as Philosophy’, an experience that over time has clarified our belief that going to the cinema could do more than just provide nice illustrative examples for brightening up philosophy seminars, that film and watching film could actually be philosophy. PHILOSOPHY THROUGH FILM In Philosophy Through Film, Amy Karofsky and Mary M. This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. 6 days ago · Exploration of philosophical ideas and problems presented through film, photography, and imagery. We will explore a wide range of philosophical themes or questions through film: knowledge and perception, personal identity, time travel, meaning in life, death, freedom and responsibility, the end of the world, and ethical dilemmas of various sorts. Spotlight on a new course PHIL261: Philosophy and Film (FA16) This coming FA16, the Department of Philosophy is rolling out a new 200-level course in the area of Values and Evaluation: PHIL261: Philosophy and Film. Aug 18, 2004 · This entry is organized around a number of issues that are central to the philosophy of film. Students unfamiliar with film analysis, especially those coming from traditional philosophy courses, often struggle with film literacy. We examine types of philosophy, the history and theories of film, and how it has been used to explore themes in society. Film, like other art forms, deals with profound philosophical questions: What is the nature of reality? What is that we desire? What is God? What is the right thing to do? What is love? Film remains one of the most popular cultural expressions and dramatizations of the se questions. ” This introductory volume presents an overview of the philosophy of film, a burgeoning sub-discipline of Aesthetics. Rather than a mere source of entertainment or collection of objects for aesthetic scrutiny, film expresses ideas and arguments worth engaging. In a screen-dependent society Aug 20, 2025 · In either case, film enables students to practice applying philosophical ideas to visual and emotional experience—and to discuss those applications constructively and thoughtfully with their peers. If we Summary "Philosophy of Film" is often used to describe a few different kinds of work. Wartenberg -- Ingmar Bergman / Paisley Livingston -- Terrence Malick / David Davies -- Andrei Tarkovsky / András Bálint Kovács -- Why be moral? Film and Philosophy is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles about film from a philosophical perspective. In this course, students will encounter some of the major problems in the philosophy of film, such as the nature of film and motion pictures, emotional and ethical involvement with film, and issues pertaining to various sub-genres of film like documentary, horror, and Dec 15, 2019 · PHILOSOPHY IN FILM Leander P. Abstract This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. Film has arguably become the central artistic medium of our time. Philosophical themes we will examine include: adulthood, aesthetic taste, the relation between the mind and the body, artificial intelligence, perspective-taking, and nihilism. Dec 7, 2019 · Access study documents, get answers to your study questions, and connect with real tutors for PHIL 261 : Philosophy and Film at California State University, Long Beach. Feb 11, 2023 · Film as philosophy / Thomas E. Aug 18, 2004 · The philosophy of film is now a firmly established subfield of contemporary philosophy of art. Film and Philosophy is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles about film from a philosophical perspective. Film as Philosophy ∎ Some lms feature explicitly philosoph- ical content in a way that provides some This course explores philosophy and film in popular culture. While their first Philosophy and Film: Bridging Divides 1st Edition and published by Routledge. Jun 15, 2022 · Philosophy and Film: Postwar Decadence, Nihilism, and the Search for Authenticity in Breakfast at Tiffany's I recently watched the classic Audrey Hepburn film Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time. A substantial resource for both students and researchers, Film-Philosophy offers scholarly articles, a discussion forum and a gateway to the best of the Web for Film and Cultural Studies in general. The book includes contributions from a number of prominent philosophers of film including Noël Carroll, Chris Falzon, Deborah Knight, Paisley Livingston Dec 17, 2006 · Despite the crass commercialism that drives the production of many movies, there’s no doubt that film is a distinctive and distinctively powerful art form. Or less recent ones, such as Blade Runner, 2001, or Clockwork Orange. The aim of both the conference theme and this resulting Special Section is to broaden the debate in film-philosophy, both in terms of a world of cinemas and a world of philosophies. Philosophical topics covered may include artificial intelligence, personal identity, free will, skepticism, philosophy of time, the problem of evil, film and emotion, and film and art. The course is will be an exploration of philosophical ideas and problems presented through film, photography, and imagery. But how have and should philosophers interact with film? In this course, we will try to answer this question. Copyright © 2025. 001 – Honors: Seminar in Selected Topics (Love in Philosophy, Film, and Media) PHIL 390H. Oct 31, 2019 · This chapter offers a critical discussion of the idea of filmosophy or film as philosophy (otherwise called “film-philosophy” or simply “film and philosophy”). , 2006. Philosophical Film Festival / Филозофски Филмски Фестивал is a unique film festival that lives on the crossroads between philosophy and film and is held annually in Republic of N. Film-Philosophy will continue to be the Open Access publication that it has always been. There is a particular focus on aesthetic problems about appearance and reality, literary and visual effects, communication and alienation through film technology. ” Inevitable partnership progress of philosophy and cinema is derived from here. Although philosophers were among the first academics to publish studies of the new artform in the early decades of the twentieth century, the field did not experience significant growth until the 1980's when a renaissance occurred. PHILOSOPHY OF FILM In one way, the philosophy of film is almost as old as the technology of film; in another way, it is a phenomenon that only emerges fully a century after the earliest screenings of films in 1895. This is a Subscribe to Open title. Feb 5, 2018 · First, the philosophy of film is an established sub-discipline that asks philosophical questions about the nature of film: What, if anything, are the necessary and sufficient conditions of being a Film and Philosophy is a peer-reviewed academic journal that examines films from a philosophical perspective. The book shows how an innovative theory of illustration provides the basis for demonstrating film’s ability to do philosophy. An introduction to philosophical problems and methods through discussion of some of the many philosophical questio ns raised by classical and contemporary films. Jan 19, 2016 · Film-Philosophy began as an email discussion list in 1996 when the internet was still young and this list was rather romantically termed a ‘salon’ by its founder Daniel Frampton. Edinburgh May 8, 2023 · This article explores the philosophy of film and its aesthetics. Take some recent movies such as The Matrix, Inception, or Memento. It is not surprising, then, that philosophers have turned to movies as a fruitful subject for philosophy. . The Film-Philosophy Salon was based around extended book reviews and occasional article-like pieces that were sent out via email and encouraged debate and discussion. Feb 11, 2005 · Organized around a series of philosophic questions about film, The Philosophy of Film: Introductory Text and Readings offers an accessible and engaging overview of the discipline. There are many reasons for the field's recent growth. Philosophy of Film and Motion Pictures: An Anthology. Philosophizing about film has been with us for around a century in the form of the lively debates about the nature of the new medium that sprang up in the wake of its invention The Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Film is the first comprehensive volume to explore the main themes, topics, thinkers and issues in philosophy and film. Therefore, since cinema, like philosophy, invents new concepts, Deleuze regards cinema a philosophical act. To this extent film invites The importance of film-makers’ intentions to FAP is emphasised in Paisley Livingston’s “Theses on Cinema as Philosophy,” The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 64:1 (2006) and in Livingston, Cinema, Philosophy, Bergman. ' – Stephen Mulhall, Fellow and Reader in Philosophy Jun 30, 2021 · This volume collects twenty original essays on the philosophy of film. 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