The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy – Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke
Samenvatting
A lighthearted meditation on the philosophical quandaries of the hit television show The Big Bang Theory
Ever wonder what Aristotle might say about the life Sheldon Cooper leads? Why Thomas Hobbes would applaud the roommate agreement? Who Immanuel Kant would treat with "haughty derision" for weaving "un–unravelable webs?" And most importantly whether Wil Wheaton is truly evil? Of course you have. Bazinga!
This book mines the deep thinking of some of history′s most potent philosophical minds to explore your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its nerdy genius characters. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force–chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa–loompa–like engineers. Fo–shizzle.
Gives you irresistibly geek–worthy insights on your favorite Big Bang Theory characters, story lines, and ideas
Examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition
Brings the thinking of some of the world′s greatest philosophers to bear on The Big Bang Theory, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and more
Essential reading for every Big Bang Theory fan, this book explores whether comic–book–wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God."
Specificaties
Inhoudsopgave
<p>INTRODUCTION: Unraveling the Mysteries 1</p>
<p>PART ONE IT ALL BEGAN ON A WARM SUMMER S EVENING IN GREECE : ARISTOTELIAN INSIGHTS</p>
<p>1 Aristotle on Sheldon Cooper: Ancient Greek Meets Modern Geek 7<br /> Greg Littmann</p>
<p>2 You re a Sucky, Sucky Friend : Seeking Aristotelian Friendship in The Big Bang Theory 21<br /> Dean A. Kowalski</p>
<p>3 The Big Bang Theory on the Use and Abuse of Modern Technology 35<br /> Kenneth Wayne Sayles III</p>
<p>PART TWO IS IT WRONG TO SAY I LOVE OUR KILLER ROBOT? : ETHICS AND VIRTUE</p>
<p>4 Feeling Bad about Feeling Good: Is It Morally Wrong to Laugh at Sheldon? 51<br /> W. Scott Clifton</p>
<p>5 . . . But Is Wil Wheaton Evil? 65<br /> Donna Marie Smith</p>
<p>6 Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?: Pleasure, Selfi shness, and Virtue in The Big Bang Theory 80<br /> Gregory L. Bock and Jeffrey L. Bock</p>
<p>PART THREE PERHAPS YOU MEAN A DIFFERENT THING THAN I DO WHEN YOU SAY SCIENCE : SCIENCE, SCIENTISM, AND RELIGION</p>
<p>7 Getting Fundamental about Doing Physics in The Big Bang Theory 99<br /> Jonathan Lawhead</p>
<p>8 Sheldon, Leonard, and Leslie: The Three Faces of Quantum Gravity 112<br /> Andrew Zimmerman Jones</p>
<p>9 The One Paradigm to Rule Them All: Scientism and The Big Bang Theory 128<br /> Massimo Pigliucci</p>
<p>10 Cooper Considerations: Science, Religion, and Family 144<br /> Adam Barkman and Dean A. Kowalski</p>
<p>PART FOUR I NEED YOUR OPINION ON A MATTER OF SEMIOTICS : LANGUAGE AND MEANING</p>
<p>11 Wittgenstein and Language Games in The Big Bang Theory 161<br /> Janelle Pötzsch</p>
<p>12 I m Afraid You Couldn t Be More Wrong! : Sheldon and Being Right about Being Wrong 175<br /> Adolfas Mackonis</p>
<p>13 The Cooper Conundrum: Good Lord, Who s Tolerating Whom? 189<br /> Ruth E. Lowe</p>
<p>14 The Mendacity Bifurcation 203<br /> Don Fallis</p>
<p>PART FIVE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THAT HAS ALWAYS ELUDED ME : THE HUMAN CONDITION</p>
<p>15 Mothers and Sons of The Big Bang Theory 219<br /> Ashley Barkman</p>
<p>16 Penny, Sheldon, and Personal Growth through Difference 233<br /> Nicholas G. Evans</p>
<p>17 Deconstructing the Women of The Big Bang Theory: So Much More Than Girlfriends 244<br /> Mark D. White and Maryanne L. Fisher</p>
<p>THE EPISODE COMPENDIUM: Hey, It s a Big Menu There s Two Pages Just for Desserts 257</p>
<p>CONTRIBUTORS: But If We Were Part of the Team . . . We Could Drink for Free in Any Bar in Any College Town 261</p>
<p>INDEX: Cornucopia . . . Let s Make That Our Word of the Day 267</p>