FILM AND PHILOSOPHY

This introductory volume presents an overview of the philosophy of film, a burgeoning sub-discipline of Aesthetics. 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.

Daniel Shaw is Professor of Philosophy at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, where he is also the editor of Film and Philosophy, the journal of the Society for the Philosophic Study of the Contemporary Visual Arts (SPSCVA). His publications include, amongst others, Dark Thoughts: Philosophic Reflections on Cinematic Horror (2003).

'Daniel Shaw is to be congratulated for writing a clear and concise introduction to the burgeoning field of philosophy and film. Because it discusses contributions made from a variety of different perspectives, this book is an excellent place for anyone to begin their acquaintance with the diverse contributions philosophers have made to the study of film.'
– Thomas Wartenberg, Mount Holyoke College

'This lucid and lively book introduces virtually all key topics at the intersection of film and philosophy. After a sympathetic overview of film theory, it discusses the work of a surprisingly wide range of film-philosophers (with a chapter each devoted to Stanley Cavell and Noël Carroll), makes a strong case for the philosophical study of film and gives a thorough overview of topics including philosophical film genres, cinematic emotions, movies and morality, and the question of whether films can actually do philosophy.'
– Deborah Knight, Queen's University, Canada

'The field of philosophy and film has burgeoned in recent years. Its many participants debate both theoretical issues and the meaning of individual films, from Citizen Kane to Alien, from Rules of the Game to Hannibal. This well-organised book covers a remarkable amount of ground in a short space in a style that is clear and blessedly free of jargon. The volume includes a diversity of views and topics which will be welcomed by students and general readers and will prove engaging and provocative for specialists as well.'
– Cynthia Freeland, University of Houston