Working in environmental ethics, social and political philosophy, and the philosophy of technology, Light (applied philosophy, New York U.) produced several papers on film, and has selected and revised six of them some published, some not to demonstrate the connection between philosophy and film. He suggests that it might help stimulate discussions in philosophy courses. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Reel Arguments collects an integrated series of essays addressing the role of film as social criticism. By looking at films and the creators of such films as Alice in the Cities, Enemy of the State, The Conversation, Falling Down, City of Hope, and Matewan, Light persuasively argues that film can be both highly philosophical and influential on public debates over issues of moral, political and social importance. Light brings new insights into the readings of these films covering a range of issues: identity politics, urban landscapes, the politics of space, and the unexpected ethical dimensions of technology.
Among the growing number of books written by philosophers on film, Reel Arguments aims to be one of the most accessible. This volume offers several examples of how films contain important philosophical lessons about how we live our lives, and in turn how philosophy helps us to better understand film.
