PHILOSOPHY/POP CULTURE

"The contributors to Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy strive to make things relevant to fans of the show, and they put their information out in a way that is accessible to folks who wouldn't know Heidegger from Heineken."

Green Man Review, Spring 2009

"The writers are well versed in their subjects...The book is most effective at making the reader rethink what they thought they knew."

Neo-opsis

What's the point of living after your world has been destroyed? This is one of many questions raised by the Sci-Fi Channel's critically acclaimed series Battlestar Galactica. More than just an action-packed "space opera," each episode offers a dramatic character study of the human survivors and their Cylon pursuers as they confront existential, moral, metaphysical, theological, and political crises.

This volume addresses some of the key questions to which the Colonials won't find easy answers, even when they reach Earth: Are Cylons persons? Is Baltar's scientific worldview superior to Six's religious faith? Can Starbuck be free if she has a special destiny? Is it ethical to cut one's losses and leave people behind? Is collaboration with the enemy ever the right move? Is humanity a "flawed creation?" Should we share the Cylon goal of "transhumanism?" Is it really a big deal that Starbuck's a woman?

About the Author

JASON T. EBERL, PhD, is Professor of Health Care Ethics and Philosophy at Saint Louis University. His research interests focus on bioethics, metaphysics, and medieval philosophy. He is the co-editor of Sons of Anarchy and Philosophy (2013), The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy (2015), and The Ultimate Star Trek and Philosophy (2016).

To learn more about the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, visit www.andphilosophy.com

Reviews
"The contributors to Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy strive to make things relevant to fans of the show, and they put their information ou t in a way that is accessible to folks who wouldn't know Heidegger from Heineken." (Green Man Review, Spring 2009)

"Blackwell's Philosophy and PopCulture series sets itself the remarkable task of making phi losophy "relevant," lamenting the subject's ongoing "public relations problem" and resolving to change things for the better. ...[I]f this volume is indicative of the series as a whole then I will happily review each and every one, for I found it to be, by and large, a stimulating and worthwhile read... Philosophy, it seems, is no longer under the guardianship of office-bound professors fluent in Latin but ignorant of popular culture. Jason T. Eberl's "ragtag fleet" of contributors has helped in some small way to redress the balance, and I for one applaud their efforts." (Claire Graham, Kaleidoscope, October 2008)

"The essays are ... quite good, and to me they seem to satisfactorily serve the purpose of introducing fans of BSG to classic and contemporary philosophical problems and questions, and even professional philosophers might learn a thing or two. The essays in the anthology are both accessible and quite easy to read, and can be commended to those interested in philosophy and Battlestar Galactica." (Metapsychology, October 2008)

"The writers are well versed in their subjects ... .The book is most effective at making the reader rethink what they thought they knew." (Neo-opsis)

Book Information
ISBN 9781405178143
Author Jason T. Eberl
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 386g
Dimensions(mm) 226mm * 152mm * 15mm