{"product_id":"american-horror-story-and-philosophy-life-is-but-a-nightmare-9780812699722","title":"American Horror Story and Philosophy: Life Is But a Nightmare","description":"In \u003ci\u003eAmerican Horror Story and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e, philosophers with varying backgrounds and interests explore different aspects of this popular \"erotic thriller\" TV show, with its enthusiastic cult following and strong critical approval. The result is a collection of intriguing and provocative thoughts on deeper questions prompted by the creepy side of the human imagination. As an \"anthology show,\" \u003ci\u003eAmerican Horror Story\u003c\/i\u003e has a unique structure in the horror genre because it explores distinct subgenres of horror in each season. As a result, each season raises its own set of philosophical issues. The show's first season, \u003ci\u003eMurder House\u003c\/i\u003e, is a traditional haunted house story. Philosophical topics expounded here include: the moral issues pertaining to featuring a mass murderer as one of the season's main protagonists; the problem of other minds--when I see an old hag, how can I know that you don't see a sexy maid? And whether it is rationally justified to fear the Piggy Man. Season Two, \u003ci\u003eAsylum\u003c\/i\u003e, takes place inside a mid-twentieth-century mental hospital. Among other classic horror subgenres, this season includes story lines featuring demonic possession and space aliens. Chapters inspired by this season include such topics as: the ethics of investigative reporting and whistleblowing; personal identity and demonic possession; philosophical problems arising from eugenics; and the ethics and efficacy of torture. Season Three, \u003ci\u003eCoven\u003c\/i\u003e, focuses on witchcraft in the contemporary world. Chapters motivated by this season include: sisterhood and feminism as starkly demonstrated in a coven; the metaphysics of traditional voodoo zombies (in contrast to the currently fashionable \"infected\" zombies); the uses of violent revenge; and the metaphysics of reanimation. Season Four, \u003ci\u003eFreak Show\u003c\/i\u003e, takes place in a circus. Philosophical writers look at life under the Big Top as an example of \"life imitating art\"; several puzzles about personal identity and identity politics (crystallized in the two-headed girl, the bearded lady, and the lobster boy); the ethical question of honor and virtue among thieves; as well as several topics in social and political philosophy. Season Five, \u003ci\u003eHotel\u003c\/i\u003e, is, among other disturbing material, about vampires. Chapters inspired by this season include: the ethics of creating vampire progeny; LGBT-related philosophical issues; and existentialism as it applies to serial killers, Season Six, \u003ci\u003eRoanoke\u003c\/i\u003e, often considered the most creative of the seasons so far, partly because of its employment of the style of documentaries with dramatic re-enactments, and its mimicry of \u003ci\u003eThe Blair Witch Project\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eParanormal Activity\u003c\/i\u003e. Among the philosophical themes explored here are what happens to moral obligations under the Blood Moon; the proper role of truth in storytelling; and the defensibility of cultural imperialism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGreene, Richard:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Richard Greene is Professor Philosophy at Weber State University. He is the co-editor of The Princess Bride and Philosophy: Inconceivable! and also of Orphan Black and Philosophy: Grand Theft DNA.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRobison-Greene, Rachel:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Rachel Robison-Greene is the co-editor of Orange Is the New Black and Philosophy: Last Exit from Litchfield and Girls and Philosophy: This Book Isn't a Metaphor for Anything.","brand":"Open Court","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50461283844370,"sku":"9780812699722","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_562b92c8-dcd7-44db-814b-c7abbdaa2033.jpg?v=1730062233","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/american-horror-story-and-philosophy-life-is-but-a-nightmare-9780812699722","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}