Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) Edited by Richard Brian Davis with series editor William Irwin
Should the Cheshire Cat’s grin make us reconsider the nature of reality?
Can Humpty Dumpty make words mean whatever he says they mean?
Can drugs take us down the rabbit-hole?
Is Alice a feminist icon?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has fascinated children and adults alike for generations. Why does Lewis Carroll introduce us to such oddities as a blue caterpillar who smokes a hookah, a cat whose grin remains after its head has faded away, and a White Queen who lives backward and remembers forward? Is it all just nonsense? Was Carroll under the influence? This book probes the deeper underlying meaning in the Alice books and reveals a world rich with philosophical life lessons. Tapping into some of the greatest philosophical minds that ever lived — Aristotle, Hume, Hobbes, and Nietzsche – Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy explores life’s ultimate questions through the eyes of perhaps the most endearing heroine in all of literature.
This book has not been approved, licensed, or sponsored by an entity or person involved in creating or producing Alice in Wonderland, the novels or films.
Richard Brian Davis is an associate professor of philosophy at Tyndale University College and the coeditor of 24 and Philosophy.
William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen recent titles, including Batman and Philosophy, House and Philosophy, and Watchmen and Philosophy.
The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series:
A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, and a healthy helping of popular culture clears the cobwebs from Kant. Philosophy has had a public relations problem for a few centuries now. This series aims to change that, showing that philosophy is relevant to your life–and not just for answering the big questions like “To be or not to be?” but for answering the little questions: “To watch or not to watch House?” Thinking deeply about TV, movies, and music doesn’t make you a “complete idiot.” In fact it might make you a philosopher, someone who believes the unexamined life is not worth living and the unexamined cartoon is not worth watching.
To learn more about the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, visit www.andphilosophy.com.
Chic Galleria is giving away a copy of Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy to 1 lucky Chic Galleria reader. Just leave a comment on this article and tell us are you are going to see the new movie Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton? The winner will be chosen at random from those who leave a comment and the winners will be announced March 7, 2010.
Congratulations to Sky!
Posted by: Holly on March 1, 2010 at 6:34 am
I will be going to see Alice in Wonderland in theaters. I’m not expecting much at all, especially after Tim Burton’s trainwreck, I mean remake, of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tim Burton is very hit or miss with me and when he remakes things I have been in love with since childhood, he seems to have a track record for missing. However, I need to go and see it because it’s Alice in Wonderland and I am a huge, huge fan so not going to see it would pretty much be sacrilege.
Posted by: Beth C on March 1, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Yes, I plan to go to the movie. Since I was a little girl I have liked Alice in Wonderland. My mother’s name was Alice and I think she influenced me a lot! I would love this book. Thanks.
Posted by: Cindi on March 1, 2010 at 9:11 pm
The story line and character in Alic in wonderland have always intrigued me and sometimes, even frightened me! I would love to read this book and get a better understanding of the philosophy behind it. Thanks,Cindi
Posted by: Sky on March 5, 2010 at 7:51 am
I’ll be watching Alice in Wonderland. I love Johnny Depp and when he teams up with Tim Burton….it’s pure genius! I love their twist…it’s going to be an excellent movie!
Posted by: Bethany on March 7, 2010 at 3:49 am
Already saw it. Opening night. Costumes were amazing.
Posted by: Sharon M on March 7, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I enjoyed the movie when I was a kid. I’m not sure I’ll spend the money to see this one at the theater. Tim Burton seems to ruin some movies that were favorites as a kid. May wait until it comes out on dvd.