Popular Culture and Philosophy: Rules of Engagement

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1-1-2014

Abstract

The exploration of popular culture topics by academic philosophers for nonacademic audiences has given rise to a distinctive genre of philosophical writing. Edited volumes with titles such as 'Black Sabbath and Philosophy' or 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy' contain chapters by multiple philosophical authors that attempt to bring philosophy to popular audiences. Two dominant models have emerged in the genre. On the "pedagogical" model, authors use popular culture examples to teach the reader philosophy. The end is to promote philosophical literacy, defined as acquaintance with the key problems, ideas, and figures in the history of philosophy. In contrast, on the "applied philosophy" model, authors use philosophy to open up new dimensions of the popular culture topic for fans. The end is to illustrate the value of philosophy in understanding the popular culture topic, and ultimately, to demonstrate the value of philosophy in general. Taking stock of the relative strengths and weaknesses of these two models provides an opportunity to reflect more broadly on whether, why, and how philosophers should engage the public.

Publication Title

Essays in Philosophy

Volume

15

Issue

1

First Page

19

Last Page

32

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