Abstract
This ambitious handbook aims to demonstrate that works of popular culture are philosophical works, aspiring to ‘articulate philosophical arguments or provoke profound philosophical inquiries’ (p. vii). The editors position the handbook in the framework of Paisley Livingston's ‘Bold Thesis’ at the heart of which is the claim that ‘creative works, including but not limited to films, possess the capacity to do philosophy’ (p. vii). The handbook is very neatly organised into five main sections – cinema, series, comedians, video games, and graphic novels. Each chapter follows a similar structure, which is a commendable approach to ensuring consistency across a huge volume. It starts with an introduction to the pop culture work and the philosophical issue it raises. It then includes a quick summary of the work itself and a clearly spelled-out main argument or question raised. The author then evaluates the argument or attempts to answer the philosophical question posed. The handbook is intended for classroom use, and the editor-in-chief has encouraged all authors to write in a style understandable ‘to the average college student’ (p. xiii). The book consists of 95 chapters and over 2000 pages in total. Numerous works of popular culture are explored in it – too many to name here. The handbook is a useful and very well-organised volume, posing and answering lots of thought-provoking questions about popular culture as philosophy.