Sci-Phi: Philosophy from Socrates to Schwarzenegger [Paperback]

Mark Rowlands (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0312322364 | ISBN-13: 978-0312322366

Sci-Phi demonstrates how anyone can grasp the basic concepts of philosophy while still holding a bucket of popcorn. Mark Rowlands makes philosophy utterly relevant to our everyday lives and reveals its most potent messages using nothing more than a little humor and the plotlines of some of the most spectacular, expensive, high-octane films on the planet.

Learn about: The Nature of Reality from The Matrix, Good and Evil from Star Wars, Morality from Aliens, Personal Identity from Total Recall, The Mind-Body dilemma from Terminator, Free Will from Minority Report, Death and the Meaning of Life from Blade Runner, and much more. A search for knowledge about ourselves and the world around us with a star-studded cast that includes: Tom Cruise, Plato, Harrison Ford, Immanuel Kant, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigourney Weaver, Rene? Descartes, and Keanu Reeves.

Rowlands anchors his discussions in easily understood everyday terms and relates them in a manner easy to identify with. Interspersed with a ready joke or two, he wonderfully explains why those SciFi movies we love so much are much deeper than they appear to be on the surface. Mark Rowlands's entertaining and stimulating guide is perfect for anyone searching for knowledge of the world around us.

If Keanu can understand Descartes surely everyone can.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Rowlands succeeds in his aims remarkably well. Not only is each chapter a model of philosophical exposition, conveying philosophical ideas with exemplary verve and clarity, the book also manages to connect the philosophy to the movies in a natural and convincing way.... The irreverent style combines the folksy with the rigorous, the shallow with the deep – and philosophy needs all the humor it can get.”
- Times Literary Supplement (U.K.)

"Rowlands has a light touch. . . . Overall, this manages to be diverting without destroying too many brain cells, which is probably what you want from a holiday read."
- The Guardian (U.K.)

"Hugely entertaining. . . . Rowlands knows his stuff and marries some of the tougher philosophical arguments to the more accessible conduit of popular entertainment . . . enjoyable and illuminating."
- Waterstone's Books Quarterly (U.K.)

"The discussions are serious, but the tone of the book is irreverent; there are laughs for both newcomers and old hands."
- www.listology.com

"Some bits made me laugh out loud. . . . He has an excellent way of explaining complex ideas and terms. After reading quite a lot of Nietzsche (in my wayward youth especially) I think that Rowlands does a better way at explaining him than the man himself!"
- www.scifimoviepage.com

From the Back Cover

“Rowlands succeeds in his aims remarkably well. Not only is each chapter a model of philosophical exposition, conveying philosophical ideas with exemplary verve and clarity, the book also manages to connect the philosophy to the movies in a natural and convincing way.... The irreverent style combines the folksy with the rigorous, the shallow with the deep – and philosophy needs all the humor it can get.”
- Times Literary Supplement (U.K.)

"Rowlands has a light touch. . . . Overall, this manages to be diverting without destroying too many brain cells, which is probably what you want from a holiday read."
- The Guardian (U.K.)

"Hugely entertaining. . . . Rowlands knows his stuff and marries some of the tougher philosophical arguments to the more accessible conduit of popular entertainment . . . enjoyable and illuminating."
- Waterstone's Books Quarterly (U.K.)

"The discussions are serious, but the tone of the book is irreverent; there are laughs for both newcomers and old hands."
- www.listology.com

"Some bits made me laugh out loud. . . . He has an excellent way of explaining complex ideas and terms. After reading quite a lot of Nietzsche (in my wayward youth especially) I think that Rowlands does a better way at explaining him than the man himself!"
- www.scifimoviepage.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312322364
• ISBN-13: 978-0312322366
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for any Sci Phi Fan, September 21, 2009

By 

Dianne B. Nesbitt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sci-Phi: Philosophy from Socrates to Schwarzenegger (Paperback)

The only problem I had other than not agreeing with all of his philosophical points of view is that there is a book titled "the philospher at the end of the universe" (philosophy explained through science fiction films) by Mark Rowlands. I bought both, now I have 2 copies of the same book. Other than that error, the philosphical ideas presented were explained as well as an immature and slightly ignorant philosopher like me could almost understand. The point however is that philosphy is a debatable subject, with pros and cons to subscribing to anyone idea. So as for me I will take the middle road agreeing with those aspects of each philosphy I agree with while at the same time understanding and sometimes finding validity in the contradictating philosphy. All in all I was happy about the book and feel a little smarter for it. It wasn't a boring book about philosphy provided your not expecting explosions, alien races conquiering our planet, and just want to know a little about topics such as (why be moral),(is it possible to have a personal identity),(how do we know the world around us isn't just imaginary), (why death isn't that bad, as it can give meaning to our life). Or if you want to have some ammunition for anyone that thinks science fiction is dumb, or (gasp) people that like it are dumb. The author likes Arnold Schwarzenegger movies to explain some of his ideas, the typical violent blockbusters that make artsy fartsy people turn their nose up. So read the book a few times but I recomend discussing it with people thats why he wrote it, I guess.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best PHI book ever, January 28, 2008

By 

Thomas H. Aylmer (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sci-Phi: Philosophy from Socrates to Schwarzenegger (Paperback)

Mark Rowlands is the man. He was actually my professor so I am very biased in favor of him. Reading this book will be like taking a highly challenging and intellectually stimulating intro to philosophy course at a reputable school, namely the University of Miami where he now teaches. A Great read, and a unique perspective and way to teach the sometimes boring yet intriguing discipline of philosophy.