Faith, Film and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big ScreenR. Douglas Geivett, James S. Spiegel "Those who tell stories rule society." Plato So who today are our principal storytellers? Not philosophers, but filmmakers. For those who know both the enormous entertainment potential and the culture-shaping power of film, this book will stir mind and imagination. For great stories freight world-sized ideas, ideas worthy of contemplation and conversation. Great cinema inspires wonder. But another philosopher, Aristotle, reminds us that wonder is the true source of philosophy. So perhaps Plato or Aristotle might have a shot at ruling society, even today--if they took an interest in film. These fourteen essays consider classic and current films together with several major philosophical themes, all within the context of Christian faith: (1) the human condition, (2) the human mind and the nature of knowing, (3) the moral life, and (4) faith and religion. Citizen Kane, Big Fish and Pretty Woman contribute to an in-depth consideration of the human condition. The Truman Show, The Matrix, Being John Malkovich and It's a Wonderful Life, among others, illuminate reflection on the human mind and the nature of knowing. Looking at the moral life, contributors interact with such notable films as Pleasantville, Bowling for Columbine, Mystic River and The Silence of the Lambs. The final section pursues the theme of faith and religion traced through a number of Hong Kong martial arts films, Contact, 2001: A Space Odyssey and U2's music documentary Rattle and Hum. A veritable film festival for all those who want to nurture the wonder of philosophical inquiry and the love of Christian theology through an engagement with the big ideas on the big screen. |
Contents
7 | |
9 | |
19 | |
21 | |
Chapter 2 | 37 |
Chapter 3 | 52 |
PART TWO | 69 |
Chapter 4 | 71 |
Chapter 9 | 157 |
Chapter 10 | 173 |
Chapter 11 | 190 |
PART FOUR | 207 |
Chapter 12 | 209 |
Chapter 13 | 225 |
Chapter 14 | 241 |
Appendix | 258 |
Other editions - View all
Faith, Film and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen R. Douglas Geivett,James S. Spiegel Limited preview - 2009 |
Faith, Film and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen R. Douglas Geivett,James S. Spiegel Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
action American answer argument arts asks become begins believe called cause character Chinese choice Christian claim Color comes condition course Crawley created culture death Director Edward evidence evil existence experience explains fact Falls father fear feelings film final forgiveness forms George give given God’s hand happened Hong Kong hope human idea identity important issues justice Kane kill kind knowledge leads leaves light lives look Matrix matter means mind Moore moral narrative nature never one’s original perhaps person philosophical physical play position possible present Press problem provides question reality reason relationships religion religious response rules says seems sense shows simply social song story suggests tells themes theory things true Truman truth turn understand universe values violence York