Indiana Jones and philosophy : why did it have to be Socrates? /
edited by Dean A. Kowalski.
- 1 online resource (xvi, 256 pages)
-
- The Blackwell philosophy and pop culture series. .
- Blackwell philosophy and popculture series. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
"We cannot escape Indiana Jones! (Not that we would want to, of course.) Harrison Ford deserves credit for the character's popularity. His ability to subtly play up Indy's foibles while playing down the character's heroism, makes Indiana Jones relatable. Of course, Lucas and the screenwriters are also responsible, as they magnificently depict Indy battling antagonists seeking to possess mystical objects for world domination. But Indy is no mere action hero. He also struggles with unrequited love that lingers for decades, an estrangement from his over-bearing father that lasts just as long, and a life-long obsession with regaining an important object unfairly taken from him. As we know, Indy doesn't always choose wisely, and if the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles are to be trusted, he made many missteps in his youth on the way to becoming the hero we know and love. Indy loses a fight as often as he wins, and when he wins, he doesn't always fight fairly. In fact, he stumbles so often, one might wonder why he persists decade after decade toward his goals. He's not getting any younger. What's the point? And, as he inexplicably trudges on, he-in the four films and various graphic novels-has many alleged encounters with the supernatural. He's not a religious person (at all), so what should he make of those? Should he take the leap of faith and become a believer? While we often see him conducting his highly unconventional fieldwork, spending an unusual amount of time in caves, he cannot completely ignore his "day job" teaching undergraduates and aiding their pursuit of knowledge. But why should archaeologists strive to put artifacts in a museum, or search for "fact," but not "truth" (and who is Dr. Tyree, anyway)? The Indiana Jones character is expressive of the human condition, vividly illuminating our struggles and issues on the big screen. True, we don't have John Williams's orchestra filling us with pride when we manage to do the right thing or play the part of the hero. Still, no one would blame you if you imagined Indy's theme blaring in the background while rising to meet a challenge!"--
About the Author
DEAN A. KOWALSKI is the Chair of the Arts and Humanities department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is the author of three academic books that explore connections between popular culture and philosophy and the editor of The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy and three other books on popular culture and philosophy.
9781119740155 9781119740186 1119740185 9781119740162 1119740169 9781119740179 1119740177
10.1002/9781119740186 doi
Jones, Indiana (Fictitious character)
Indiana Jones films--History and criticism.
Electronic books.
PN1995.9.I47 / I53 2023
791.43/75
Includes bibliographical references and index.
"We cannot escape Indiana Jones! (Not that we would want to, of course.) Harrison Ford deserves credit for the character's popularity. His ability to subtly play up Indy's foibles while playing down the character's heroism, makes Indiana Jones relatable. Of course, Lucas and the screenwriters are also responsible, as they magnificently depict Indy battling antagonists seeking to possess mystical objects for world domination. But Indy is no mere action hero. He also struggles with unrequited love that lingers for decades, an estrangement from his over-bearing father that lasts just as long, and a life-long obsession with regaining an important object unfairly taken from him. As we know, Indy doesn't always choose wisely, and if the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles are to be trusted, he made many missteps in his youth on the way to becoming the hero we know and love. Indy loses a fight as often as he wins, and when he wins, he doesn't always fight fairly. In fact, he stumbles so often, one might wonder why he persists decade after decade toward his goals. He's not getting any younger. What's the point? And, as he inexplicably trudges on, he-in the four films and various graphic novels-has many alleged encounters with the supernatural. He's not a religious person (at all), so what should he make of those? Should he take the leap of faith and become a believer? While we often see him conducting his highly unconventional fieldwork, spending an unusual amount of time in caves, he cannot completely ignore his "day job" teaching undergraduates and aiding their pursuit of knowledge. But why should archaeologists strive to put artifacts in a museum, or search for "fact," but not "truth" (and who is Dr. Tyree, anyway)? The Indiana Jones character is expressive of the human condition, vividly illuminating our struggles and issues on the big screen. True, we don't have John Williams's orchestra filling us with pride when we manage to do the right thing or play the part of the hero. Still, no one would blame you if you imagined Indy's theme blaring in the background while rising to meet a challenge!"--
About the Author
DEAN A. KOWALSKI is the Chair of the Arts and Humanities department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is the author of three academic books that explore connections between popular culture and philosophy and the editor of The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy and three other books on popular culture and philosophy.
9781119740155 9781119740186 1119740185 9781119740162 1119740169 9781119740179 1119740177
10.1002/9781119740186 doi
Jones, Indiana (Fictitious character)
Indiana Jones films--History and criticism.
Electronic books.
PN1995.9.I47 / I53 2023
791.43/75