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The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke
Review copy sent on 29.6.12 to Ponderings on a Faith Journey
William Irwin (Series edited by), W Irwin (Author), Dean A. Kowalski (Edited by)
9781118074558, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 26 April 2012
288 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.34 kg
“If you’re looking for a straight discussion of philosophy try reading Frederick Copleston’s The History of Philosophy, but if you’re open to learning in a fun environment try this book. Just remember that this book is first of all a study of philosophy geared to the non-specialist. The by-product of the book is that you will deepen your understanding of and engagement with the characters in these shows.” (Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 10 August 2012)
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?" Andmost importantlywhether 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. 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."
Acknowledgments ix Introduction: “Unraveling the Mysteries” 1 Part One “It All Began On A Warm Summer’s Evening In Greece”: Aristotelian Insights 1 Aristotle on Sheldon Cooper: Ancient Greek Meets Modern Geek 7 2 “You’re a Sucky, Sucky Friend”: Seeking Aristotelian Friendship in The Big Bang Theory 21 3 The Big Bang Theory on the Use and Abuse of Modern Technology 35 Part Two “Is It Wrong To Say I Love Our Killer Robot?”: Ethics And Virtue 4 Feeling Bad about Feeling Good: Is It Morally Wrong to Laugh at Sheldon? 51 5 . . . But Is Wil Wheaton Evil? 65 6 Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?: Pleasure, Selfishness, and Virtue in The Big Bang Theory 80 Part Three “Perhaps You Mean A Different Thing Than I Do When You Say ‘Science’”: Science, Scientism, And Religion 7 Getting Fundamental about Doing Physics in The Big Bang Theory 99 8 Sheldon, Leonard, and Leslie: The Three Faces of Quantum Gravity 112 9 The One Paradigm to Rule Them All: Scientism and The Big Bang Theory 128 10 Cooper Considerations: Science, Religion, and Family 144 Part Four “I Need Your Opinion On A Matter Of Semiotics”: Language And Meaning 11 Wittgenstein and Language Games in The Big Bang Theory 161 12 “I’m Afraid You Couldn’t Be More Wrong!”: Sheldon and Being Right about Being Wrong 175 13 The Cooper Conundrum: Good Lord, Who’s Tolerating Whom? 189 14 The Mendacity Bifurcation 203 Part Five “The Human Experience That Has Always Eluded Me”: The Human Condition 15 Mothers and Sons of The Big Bang Theory 219 16 Penny, Sheldon, and Personal Growth through Difference 233 17 Deconstructing the Women of The Big Bang Theory: So Much More Than Girlfriends 244 The Episode Compendium: “Hey, It’s a Big Menu—There’s Two Pages Just for Desserts” 257 Contributors:“But If We Were Part of the Team . . . We Could Drink for Free in Any Bar in Any College Town” 261 Index: “Cornucopia . . . Let’s Make That Our Word of the Day” 267
Greg Littmann
Dean A. Kowalski
Kenneth Wayne Sayles III
W. Scott Clifton
Donna Marie Smith
Gregory L. Bock and Jeffrey L. Bock
Jonathan Lawhead
Andrew Zimmerman Jones
Massimo Pigliucci
Adam Barkman and Dean A. Kowalski
Janelle Pötzsch
Adolfas Mackonis
Ruth E. Lowe
Don Fallis
Ashley Barkman
Nicholas G. Evans
Mark D. White and Maryanne L. Fisher
Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]
