William Irwin Boeken

Exploring the contentious debate surrounding authorship, this collection features key essays that delve into the role of authorial intention in literary interpretation. With contributions from influential figures like Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault, the volume presents a dialogical approach, offering both seminal and newly commissioned pieces. It investigates the philosophical foundations and arguments from various perspectives, making it essential for understanding modern literary criticism and aesthetics.

The sequel to Hesse's classic novel explores the ongoing quest for meaning through the character of Little Siddhartha. It emphasizes the importance of individuality in the pursuit of wisdom while highlighting universal themes of love, forgiveness, family, and nature. Readers will find reflections of themselves in Little Siddhartha's journey, culminating in a profound conclusion that resonates with the spiritual yearnings shared by all. This narrative invites contemplation on the enduring aspects of the human experience.

Follow young Alice on her trip down a rabbit hole and into a fantasy world filled with strange and whimsical characters. At first glance, the plot and dialogue seem like nonsense, but are actually filled with inner meaning, logic, and truisms.

X-Men is one of the most popular comic book franchises ever, with successful spin-offs that include several feature films, cartoon series, bestselling video games, and merchandise. This is the first look at the deeper issues of the X-Men universe and the choices facing its powerful "mutants," such as identity, human ethics versus mutant morality, and self-sacrifice. J. Jeremy Wisnewski (Oneonta, NY) is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hartwick College and the editor of Family Guy and Philosophy (978-1-4051-6316-3) and The Office and Philosophy (978-1-4051-7555-5). Rebecca Housel (Rochester, NY) is a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, where she teaches about writing and pop culture. For William Irwin's biography, please see below.

The first book to give Metallica's lyrics the care and contemplation they deserve More than 40 years since their formation, and 125 million albums later, Metallica is as relevant as ever. Much has been written about the band, but The Meaning of Metallica is the first book to focus exclusively on their lyrics. Their mighty guitar riffs and pounding drums are legendary, but Metallica's words match the intensity of their tunes. Lead singer James Hetfield writes rock poetry dealing with death, war, addiction, alienation, corruption, freedom, religion, and other weighty topics. Painting a rainbow of emotions with a deft palette, subtle but not obscure, Hetfield's lyrics deserve careful attention. A master of narrative, Metallica makes listeners care about a vast array of characters, from a vengeful God, to a suicidal teenager, to a man in mid-life crisis. The Meaning of Metallica is like a riveting conversation with a close friend. A thematic tour de force that traces Hetfield's lyrical development across the decades, this companion examines everything from deep cuts like "Confusion" to megahits like "Enter Sandman." Sure to spark debate and discussion, The Meaning of Metallica provides a close reading of lyrics dense with details and rich with allusions.

Presents essays exploring the philosophical themes of the motion picture "The Matrix," which portrays a false world created from nothing but perceptions.

Now a hit TV show True Blood, depicts a world where vampires can co-exist with humans thanks to the scientific breakthrough of synthetic blood True Blood.

Go beyond the cape and into the mind of the Man of Steel, in time for release of Zack Snyder's Man of Steel movie and Superman's 75th anniversary He has thrilled millions for 75 years, with a legacy that transcends national, cultural, and generational borders, but is there more to the Man of Steel than just your average mythic superhero in a cape? The 20 chapters in this book present a fascinating exploration of some of the deeper philosophical questions raised by Superman, the Last Son of Krypton and the newest hero in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture arsenal.

Many critics agree that Joel and Ethan Coen are one of the most visionary and idiosyncratic filmmaking teams of the last three decades. Combining thoughtful eccentricity, wry humor, irony, and often brutal violence, the Coen brothers have crafted a style of filmmaking that pays tribute to classic American movie genres yet maintains a distinctly postmodern feel. Since arriving on the film scene, the Coens have amassed an impressive body of work that has garnered them critical acclaim and a devoted cult following. From Raising Arizona and Fargo to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and No Country for Old Men, the Coens have left an unmistakable imprint on Hollywood. The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers investigates philosophical themes in the works of these master filmmakers and also uses their movies as vehicles to explore fundamental concepts of philosophy. The contributing authors discuss concepts such as justice, the problem of interpretation, existential role-playing, the philosophy of comedy, the uncertainty principle, and the coldness of modernity. The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers is not just for die-hard Lebowski Fest attendees, but for anyone who enjoys big ideas on the big screen.

Enter the School of Rock with a provocative study of Metallica, linking their music to philosophy. Explore themes of freedom, truth, and morality through their lyrics and cultural impact. This insightful guide connects the band to thinkers like Aristotle and Nietzsche, revealing their philosophical significance in rock history.