Book description
A philosophical look at the movie Inception and its brilliant
metaphysical puzzles
Is the top still spinning? Was it all a dream? In the world of
Christopher Nolan's four-time Academy Award-winning movie, people can
share one another's dreams and alter their beliefs and thoughts.
Inception is a metaphysical heist film that raises more
questions than it answers: Can we know what is real? Can you be held
morally responsible for what you do in dreams? What is the nature of
dreams, and what do they tell us about the boundaries of
"self" and "other"? From Plato to Aristotle and
from Descartes to Hume, Inception and Philosophy draws from
important philosophical minds to shed new light on the movie's
captivating themes, including the one that everyone talks about: did
the top fall down (and does it even matter)?
- Explores the movie's key questions and themes, including how we
can tell if we're dreaming or awake, how to make sense of a
paradox, and whether or not inception is possible
- Gives new insights into the nature of free will, time, dreams,
and the unconscious mind
- Discusses different interpretations of the film, and whether or
not philosophy can help shed light on which is the "right one"
- Deepens your understanding of the movie's multi-layered plot and
dream-infiltrating characters, including Dom Cobb, Arthur, Mal,
Ariadne, Eames, Saito, and Yusuf
An essential companion for every dedicated Inception fan, this book
will enrich your experience of the Inception universe and its
complex dreamscape.
David Kyle johnson is assistant professor of philosophy at King's
College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and the editor of Heroes and Philosophy.
William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King's College. He
originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as
coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has
overseen recent titles, including House and Philosophy, Alice in
Wonderland and Philosophy, and Mad Men and Philosophy. To learn more
about the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series,
visit www. andphilosophy. com
