squid
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Post by squid on Jan 3, 2009 19:02:01 GMT -5
I'm developing a new course on philosophy in movies. I'd like to find a couple more movies in phil. of Mind -- I've got as possibles: Pan's Labyrinth, I, Robot, City of Lost Children, A Scanner Darkly, Ghost in the Shell, Fight Club, Dark City, 2001: A Space Odyssey (although I hate it).
Eternal Sunshine and Being John Malkovich would be my go-to movies, but I used them both in my other movie course, so they're off the table.
Got a favorite mind-y philosophical movie?
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Post by burner on Jan 4, 2009 16:26:29 GMT -5
Here are some to elicit dualist intuitions:
Freaky Friday (body swapping)
Ghost (disembodied existence)
Here's a good one that raises interesting personal identity questions, especially for Lockean accounts:
The Prestige
Of course there's always Spielberg's contribution:
Artificial Intelligence
That movie is either emotionally compelling, or completely preposterous, depending on how you feel about functionalism.
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Post by A158 on Jan 5, 2009 9:55:05 GMT -5
There might be some useful stuff related to Star Trek, especially re "Lieutenant Commander Data." I'm not Trekky enough to know the relevant episodes or movies, but you could look at Is Data Human? The Metaphysics of Star Trek. You might also contact Prof. Linda Wetzel at Georgetown U. She does a class on "Philosophy and Star Trek." You might also look at Star Trek and Philosophy for some ideas. Essays in this volume include "Spock's Vulcan Mind Meld: A Primer for the Philosophy of Mind," "Inhuman Nature, or What It's Like to Be a Borg?" (hive mind), and "Death and Rebirth of a Vulcan Mind."
Disclaimer: I have nothing to do w/ Wetzel or any of these books.
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Post by humeismyhomeboy on Jan 5, 2009 10:54:18 GMT -5
I like Memento for issues having to do with personal identity and moral responsibility.
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Post by NeoOne on Jan 5, 2009 17:02:12 GMT -5
The Matrix.
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squid
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Post by squid on Jan 5, 2009 22:22:54 GMT -5
Right. Should have mentioned that I used The Matrix and Memento in my other course. Also Bladerunner.
Dang. I shot my wad in the other class.
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Post by ethicsgrl on Jan 6, 2009 2:30:43 GMT -5
I shot my wad in the other class. Shouldn't that sort of thing get one fired?  Maybe also "The Sixth Day" with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Weird stuff about cloning and personal identity. |
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Post by dubious on Jan 6, 2009 15:14:49 GMT -5
I hope I'm not giving repeats:
13th Floor (global skepticism much like Matrix and Dark City)
Solaris
Minority Report
Vanilla Sky
12 Monkeys
Gattaca
Donnie Darko
Brazil
Dogville
The Cube
Pi
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Post by dubious on Jan 6, 2009 15:17:36 GMT -5
Ok, I forgot about the phil mind qualifier for the above movies I suggested. Some are phil mind, some are not. whatev.
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Post by jphil on Jan 9, 2009 14:32:42 GMT -5
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squid
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Post by squid on Jan 11, 2009 22:38:50 GMT -5
I just rewatched Dark City recently, to consider for my class. I found it, again, disappointing. I think The Matrix is a far better film, both for exploring certain philosophical ideas, and cinematically speaking.
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Post by docs on Jan 14, 2009 23:10:11 GMT -5
I love 'Solaris' - both the film and the book by Lem. But, you know, I've never been sure what the ...message is/was.
I think there are other films based on Lem books that might be helpful. You can google Stanislau[w] Lem and find films based on his work.
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squid
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Post by squid on Jan 15, 2009 23:27:17 GMT -5
So you're the one who loves Solaris. Can't say I liked either film. Not a Tarkovsky fan in general. I couldn't get through Stalker, and I can watch pretty much anything.
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Post by docs on Jan 16, 2009 14:47:40 GMT -5
THE one?  I admit, I love the movie because I love Lem. |
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Post by Trurl on Jan 16, 2009 15:01:37 GMT -5
Couldn't get through Stalker? Come on, that is my man Andrei's finest hour (or three).
As for Lem, he rules the school. If you want serious bang for your buck phil mind-wise, then The Cyberiad is bar none awesome. Solaris is way too meta-meta to be of any use in an undergrad classroom (though perhaps a nice companion piece for Mysterianism).
You want some kick-ass philosophical scepticism? Look no further than Lem's The Futurological Congress...it makes the Matrix look as deep as a puddle.
For unadulterated philosophical fun, check out any of the Pirx the Pilot books or the Ijon Tichy series.
For some hardcore philosophy of fiction shiznit, get into A Perfect Vacuum (a collection of fictional book reviews of fictional books).
For some poignant and tragic Lem, read The Invincible or Eden.
For hilarious social commentary, pick up Memoirs Found in a Bathtub.
Actually, just type "Lem" into amazon and order the first dozen books. Do it! Now!
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