Steven Spielberg and Philosophy

"e;This lively collection of essays on the ideas underpinning his films enriches and enlarges our understanding of Spielberg's complex body of work."e; -Joseph McBride, author of Steven Spielberg: A BiographyFew directors have had as powerful an influence on the film industry and the movie-going public as Steven Spielberg. Whatever the subject dinosaurs, war, extra-terrestrials, slavery, the Holocaust, or terrorism one clear and consistent touchstone is present in all of Spielberg's films: an interest in the human condition. In movies ranging from Jaws to Schindler's List to Amistad to Jurassic Park, he has brought to life some of the most popular heroes and most despised villains of all time. In Steven Spielberg and Philosophy, Dean A. Kowalski and some of the nation's most respected philosophers investigate Spielberg's art to illuminate the nature of humanity. The book explores rich themes such as cinematic realism, fictional belief, terrorism, family ethics, consciousness, virtue and moral character, human rights, and religion in Spielberg's work. Avid moviegoers and deep thinkers will discover plenty to enjoy in this collection.