Hi guys, wondered if you could help? I'm currently a second year philosophy student, and have discussed with my tutors the idea of screening movies for the philosophy society. The idea is that some philosophical ideas are easier to discuss if we have examples [e.g. watching the matrix shows us what Descartes was talking about].

The problem is our courses are about 10 weeks long, so I'd like to screen 10 films - also some topics are easy to screen movies about; others are harder. Here is a list of possible movies I had:

The Matrix - Cartesian Scepticism
Memento - Personal Identity and Epistemology
Short Circuit - Personal Identity and Consciousness
Truman Show - Cartesian Scepticism
Being John Malkovich - Personal Identity
T2: Judgement Day - Consciousness, Free Will + Ethics
Twelve Angry Men - Proper Philosophical Discussion

My problem is that in case you can't tell - there's too much skepticism + personal identity - not enough other topics. Could you possible suggest other movies based on philosophy - especially Meta-ethics.

Cheers,

Bill

Movie / Philosophical issue
-----------------------------------

Schwarzeneggar's Commando / Kill now, or kill later?
Schwarzeneggar's Conan The Barbarian / Kill now, or kill later?
Schwarzeneggar's Terminator / Kill now, or kill later?
Schwarzeneggar's Predator / Kill now, or kill later?

Sorry, just having fun. Can't recall any films off the top of my head that had any deep philosophical stuff going on. Isn't that terrible?

lol now I think about it - he never even took long deciding - and he normally went for the former :P

Cheers,
Bill

"American Beauty" ???

Deals with ethics and familial issues...

Plus it's my favorite movie of all time.

Doctor Detroit with Dan Akyrod(?)

Is the doing of a good samaration deed worth it?

Oh Red2m4 - how I wish I could show American Beauty. It is my favourite movie of all time too; but I'm not entirely sure what definite questions it raises. I'm trying to find something which deals with meta-ethics; which is really tricky to think about because loads of movies deal with normative ethics.

Thank you for suggesting this - and if you can think of what questions it raises, I would very much like to put it on. Might just be a failure of insight on my part.

Cheers,
Bill

Not a fan of American Beauty.

The Blues Brothers, now there's a deep film!

That's actually a damn good idea... "We're on a mission from GOD"... definite possibility ... but why aren't u a fan of AB???

American Beauty just didn't do anything for me. Overall it was sort of pointless. Kevin Spacey is annoying. There was just nothing in the film that appealed to me.

I know this may seem a strange choice but what about swordfish?

Its where the question for my "value of life" thread came from

it talks about where the point is that the end DOSN'T justify the means

(there is alot of exstrainious stuff in it though)

Okay for those of you who are interested there are three older movies that deal with all kinds of philisophical issues. Too many to list. Those movies are:
Dark City
eXistenZ
The Cube
if you watch those three movies you will be able to discuss the philisophical issues in those movies for years to come. Just thought I would let everyone know of those movies.

if you want to show movies which bring out philosophical issues, screen 'The Wall'. it's an amaaaazing film. it deals with many themes...prominent ones being isolation, inability to handle fame etc.

plus it's based on the album by PINK FLOYD...the best group ever.

I don't think I've seen Mutual Desire post in some time.....
But just to let you know, I think The Matrix's most prominent philosophical idea was Plato's Cave.

"The Man Who Wasn't There" if you couldn't tell by the title, possesses very strong philosophical elements.
It stars Billy Bob Thorton and is directed by The Coen Brothers
The Man Who Wasn't There (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0243133)

As you probably know, philosophy is in all movies, but:

Fight Club - nihilism

you know it really depends what you want to address. it'd be easier that way, since anything could be used. ever seen 'rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead?' - there's one for ya

what topics?

I think you should show 'Pi' -- deals with personal identity and beauty in the world around us.

How about Requiem for a dream..i don't know if it fills the critreria for what you want but a good film nonetheless. Also Bill and Ted's excellent adventure...it deals with all sort of cool time travelling and such. Not a bad suggestion is Groundhog day with Bill Murry in it...it's basically god forcing his ass to give a damn about the people around him- that could be a new field in Philosophy called "Overassertive diety influenceism" (that has been copyrighted so if you steal it i'll sue your ass indefinetly). Well i am tapped for suggestions..hope that helped :D

This thread is kinda old... it's even archived, lol
I don't think it matters anymore.

Originally posted by Alpha
This thread is kinda old... it's even archived, lol
I don't think it matters anymore.


That's what i get when i am too lazy to check the date...oh well i still like the coined up new philoshpy i made up.

Originally posted by Weiser_Dub
As you probably know, philosophy is in all movies, but:

Fight Club - nihilism YES! :D

Are you allowed to watch documentaries too, Mutual Desire? Because then that'd be very easy.

How about "John Q"? This one should be a cinch.

Or "Artificial Intelligence", in combo with "The Bicentennial Man"?

Or "Blade Runner"? This one's another cult classic, it's what "The Matrix", "The Fifth Element", "12 Monkeys" and "Dark City" sprung from (so I've heard).

Also "the Thirteenth Floor", even though it wasn't exactly a great film.

Perhaps "Donnie Darko"? "The Dog of Flanders"? "Rabbit-proof Fence"? etc.

And to reiterate Weiser_Dub's point - doesn't every movie have some kind of philisophical "value" at its very core, no matter if it's hidden inside Keanu Reeves' gun or underneath the "Deep Blue Sea"? ;)

(p.s. Hey Adam! :) )

*Ahem*

Originally posted by Alpha
This thread is kinda old... it's even archived, lol
I don't think it matters anymore.

*lol* right. But hey, some parts are still relevant, people can come here and look for recommendations. :D

I knew this thread was old when I saw Adam had posted on it...
For myself, the View Askew movies all make me think.

Originally posted by valentino
I knew this thread was old when I saw Adam had posted on it...
For myself, the View Askew movies all make me think.
View Askew? Is that Kevin Smith's production company?

Yep, it sure is. Kevin Smith ownz.

BLADE RUNNER (my favorite)
If you guys didnt watch it yet go and watch it now. This is an order and after you watched it come back for the second order :D

Originally posted by Soulcry
BLADE RUNNER (my favorite)
If you guys didnt watch it yet go and watch it now. This is an order and after you watched it come back for the second order :D That was on my list too. :)

Kubrik films!!!

Clockwork Orange
and 2001 Space Odyssey
would be perfect I think

edit: fixed a typo

Hullo, excelent thread.

Yes, Kubriks is definately worth watching, especialy Clockwork.

I would also say, Appocalypse now - I think it's philosophical values are often overlooked even though they are so obvious.

And this goes without saying,
Solaris. I haven't seen the new version, I don't know if it's out yet . But definately check out Tarkovsky's original.
You could write a whole book of philosophical debate on it:).

Requiem for a dream, Dead poets society, American beauty, Good will hunting and Shawshank redemption.

Originally posted by Weiser_Dub
Fight Club - nihilism
And Fascism.

And Fascism.

Que?

*Grabbing sword and preparing to defend Chuck Palahnuik's honour*

Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange and Deep Throated Sluts volume 4 are all very philosophical movies.

Waking Life

excellent film addressing a bunch of philosophical issues and ideologies

Originally posted by Xev
Que?

*Grabbing sword and preparing to defend Chuck Palahnuik's honour*

Nothing to defend here.
I am not attacking his views or integrity.
I am not saying that Tyler's (or Chuck's) vision was not honorable or justified.

Don't you think that on some levels it is a commentary on Fascism?

Tyler's followers were urban soldiers sacrificing their identity and individuality for the sake of the cause.

The "soldiers" were mindless identityless unquestioning followers of Tyler.
"In Tyler we trust".

The goal was to suppress the opposition of the masses through the means of socio-economic terrorism and forced nihilistic revolution.

You must give, "The Hunchback of Notre Dam", a serious viewing. It's all about this french guy with a large fatty deposit and limited hearing. He really fancies this chick Esmarelda but she reckons he's a bit of a toad and he doesn't ring her bell. The philisophical message is clear. If your a fat bastard with a lumpy back, don't chat up humpless women.

"Dr. Strangelove"

I don't know that I'd call the good doctor philosophical. Political and brilliant, yes. But I'm curious what philosophy (other than political) you saw in it?

Hm.......
A movie that hasn't been mentioned?
City of God (it's Brazillian, and brilliant)

"Dogma" should be on everyones list

Tyler:

I think it explores the concept of futility very well.

But then, so does watching the Leafs try to avoid elimination. :D

Village of the damned:)

Ok I'm not sure about philosophy as such but it sure does have cool looking alien children in it!

Actually it is kind of philosophical, but alot of movies are in one way or another.

WAKING LIFE! Trust me on this, Waking Life is like an entire philosophy course in itself. It's done in this really cool animation too. Rent it NOW!

"Waking life" is definitely a must watch, although the animation style can be a bit much. Also try "I Heart Huckabees".

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Philip Dick novella that Bladerunner was based on is considerably deeper, philosophically, than the movie.

And doesn't take much longer to read than the movie does to watch, counting getting in an out of the theater, etc.

And it's cheaper, total cost, probably. Free at the library.

And when you are discussing it with your fellow philosophers, you can have the examples and scenes right there indexed by page number, simultaneously with the discussion, for common reference. You can even text each other while talking, and put up Powerpoint slides with bullets on the Important Points, creating a true Multimedia Learning Environment for Philosophical Meaning Transmission.

For that matter, if reading is dull and difficult for the modern philosopher, books or posters of lithographs and photographic reproductions of paintings offer the same convenience of example, and much of the philosophical richness and density, of ordinary novels.

"The Night, Death, and the Devil" by Durer, for example, provides a great fund of philosophical issues, and can be scanned for details by eye in a few milliseconds, a considerable savings over the "select scene" video option.

Movies ? "Galaxy Quest" is very deep, philosophically. If you supply the philosophy, of course.

hi guys,
I have just signed up in the forum. I have found it, while surfing the net for philosophy movies! I found your conversation about philosophy movies but its 5 years ago!!
I am a student in the 1st year philosopny in Germany. I would like to suggest to you my favorite movie! Waking Life. I find it outstanding!! anybody saw it?

Welcome to Sciforums, nermeen! I'm still here after 5 years. Well, 7 actually.

My friend has given me a copy of Waking life and told that I will like it, but I haven't yet seen it.
Perhaps I should see it sooner. :)

So, this is picking up on a very old series of posts, but some had previously asked what the philosophical themes in American Beauty are. Certainly there are many that can be teased out, but I have one in particular to share. It was suggested to me by a prof to examine the character of Ricky in a Nietzschean light, i.e. as an instantiation of the superman. Watch the scene in the third act in which his father beats him and ask yourself the question, "Which of the two characters has the power in this interaction?" It is this ubermensch-like quality that Kevin Spacey's character notices when he first meets Ricky. He spends the rest of the movie imitating Ricky's freedom of action.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Brubaker

The Traveling Executioner

Gattaca is a movie that I used for medical ethics.

Huh?

Mom, what the hell are you doing on sciforums? This is so embarrassing!

/runs away in tears





P.s. Welcome

I know this is an old thread however maybe someone like me looking for suggestions will stumble upon this
my suggestion is
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel
It's an extremely interesting movie about Time Travel with 3 guys in a bar

Gattica is a movie that I used for medical ethics.

I liked Gattaca.

Try :
Last Life in the Universe: Observation, Loneliness, being Alone, Love, Death

My problem is that in case you can't tell - there's too much skepticism + personal identity - not enough other topics. Could you possible suggest other movies based on philosophy - especially Meta-ethics.


Metaethics comes in in many, many Hollywood movies. You have the deontologists vs. the consequentialists. IOW rule based deciders vs. greatest good for the greatest number bean counters. A Few Good Men could be seen this way, for example.....

jack Nicholson represents the 'fuck the rules' camp. He knows what must be done to effectively defend the country and this isn't always nice, polite and moral by everyday standards.

Pretty much everyone else represent the deontologists, deciding that what he did was immoral, period.

Nicholson gives a strong enough performance however that even merely OK movie leaves the question in the air.

But the tension is all over the place.

Anywhere the hero puts everyone at risk to save a child or whatever.

Dirty Harry movies of course.

Hi guys, wondered if you could help? I'm currently a second year philosophy student, and have discussed with my tutors the idea of screening movies for the philosophy society. The idea is that some philosophical ideas are easier to discuss if we have examples [e.g. watching the matrix shows us what Descartes was talking about].

The problem is our courses are about 10 weeks long, so I'd like to screen 10 films - also some topics are easy to screen movies about; others are harder. Here is a list of possible movies I had:

The Matrix - Cartesian Scepticism
Memento - Personal Identity and Epistemology
Short Circuit - Personal Identity and Consciousness
Truman Show - Cartesian Scepticism
Being John Malkovich - Personal Identity
T2: Judgement Day - Consciousness, Free Will + Ethics
Twelve Angry Men - Proper Philosophical Discussion

My problem is that in case you can't tell - there's too much skepticism + personal identity - not enough other topics. Could you possible suggest other movies based on philosophy - especially Meta-ethics.

Cheers,

Bill

Fight Club - Existentialism

Hi guys, wondered if you could help?

free will/determinism - 12 monkeys
neo-Buddhism, solipsism - The Thin Red Line
Solipsism - Solaris (I prefer the original - Tarkovsky
Identity - Most David Lynch films - Mulholland Drive comes to mind.
multiverses, determinism - Donnie Darko, The Butterfly Effect

There is an introductory textbook for philosophy with this approach:

Philosophy Goes to the Movies
An Introduction to Philosophy
By Christopher Falzon

http://www.routledge-philosophy.com/books/Philosophy-Goes-to-the-Movies-isbn9780415357265

There is an introductory textbook for philosophy with this approach:

Philosophy Goes to the Movies
An Introduction to Philosophy
By Christopher Falzon

http://www.routledge-philosophy.com/books/Philosophy-Goes-to-the-Movies-isbn9780415357265

Nice one Signal.

I've been reading this one lately:

Science Fiction and Philosophy

SciF and Phil (http://www.amazon.ca/Science-Fiction-Philosophy-Travel-Superintelligence/dp/1405149078/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269292118&sr=1-1)

I found some Wikis listing philosophical films, with pictures, videos, short descriptions and reviews to each one:

http://www.dharmaflix.com/wiki/Spiritual_Films%2C_perhaps_not_particularly_Buddhi st_Dharma

http://www.dharmaflix.com/wiki/DharmaFlix.com_Main_Page

Being There is a 1979 American comedy-drama with Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine,
title comes from the term Dasein, used by the German phenomenological philosopher Martin Heidegger.

Hi guys, wondered if you could help? I'm currently a second year philosophy student, and have discussed with my tutors the idea of screening movies for the philosophy society. The idea is that some philosophical ideas are easier to discuss if we have examples [e.g. watching the matrix shows us what Descartes was talking about].

The problem is our courses are about 10 weeks long, so I'd like to screen 10 films - also some topics are easy to screen movies about; others are harder. Here is a list of possible movies I had:

The Matrix - Cartesian Scepticism
Memento - Personal Identity and Epistemology
Short Circuit - Personal Identity and Consciousness
Truman Show - Cartesian Scepticism
Being John Malkovich - Personal Identity
T2: Judgement Day - Consciousness, Free Will + Ethics
Twelve Angry Men - Proper Philosophical Discussion

My problem is that in case you can't tell - there's too much skepticism + personal identity - not enough other topics. Could you possible suggest other movies based on philosophy - especially Meta-ethics.

Cheers,

Bill

An obvious one would be The Seventh Seal for the embrace of life over faith (with an obvious nod to Kierkegaard's "knight of faith").

Another obvious one would be Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, for any number of topics, but one being the differing moralities and world views shown by the samurai (who are honorable, fearless and strong) and the farmers (who kill helpless prisoners, cry and show fear and are weak, but who are nonetheless declared the real victors by the head of the samurai, and not the samurai themselves. Alternately there is the theme of the farmers as representing the passive and feminine, and the samurai the masculine.

For personal identity and consciousness, I'd go with Ghost in the Machine over Short Circuit. In GitM, you have a human who we know is conscious whose consciousness is submerged entirely into the digital, and what such a transformation could mean to society, as we all are submerged to varying degrees into that world.

For skepticism, I'd think Total Recall where you are constantly wondering what to believe about Quaid.

For existentialism, there's Leaving Las Vegas (though the Seventh Seal also fits, come to think of it).

For the definition of the self there's The Fly (are you inescapably what your DNA makes you?) and Gattica.

For the nature of free will, there's Minority Report and Gattica and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead (which itself also raises a lot of existentialist notions).

WAKING LIFE! Trust me on this, Waking Life is like an entire philosophy course in itself. It's done in this really cool animation too. Rent it NOW!

gotta agree with you there

in my opinion, in order to have a general understanding on a broad spectrum of philosophical topics your best bet is to watch Waking Life and read Sophie's World

I thought the Box is an excellent allegory for the state, though the writer may have been coming at it from a quasi-christian perspective of morals and not intended the parallels. Superficially it appears to deal with lifeboat ethical scenerios but I think its commentary is grounded in everyday choices.

Synecdoche New York grapples with mortality, the self and other, and time. (all Charlie Kaufmann movies are reccomended)

Moon is a great little flim that meditates on the relationship of memory to identity.

It should be said that there is philosophy in every movie. Whether it is intelligence or has any insight, let alone new insight, that's another story. But every movie takes dozens of philosophical positions.

Sim1one comes to mind

i am attempting to watch (http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/3898330/Slavoj_Zizek_-_The_Pervert__s_Guide_to_Cinema_-_Lacanian_Psychoa.3898330.TPB.torrent) zizek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavoj_Zizek)'s The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (http://www.thepervertsguide.com/about.html)


/beats zizek over the head with a dead fish