{"product_id":"hobbit-philosophy-9780470405147","title":"Hobbit Philosophy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA philosophical exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic--just in time for the December 2012 release of Peter Jackson's new film adaptation, \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJ.R.R. Tolkien's \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the best-loved fantasy books of all time and the enchanting \"prequel\" to \u003ci\u003eThe Lord of the Rings\u003c\/i\u003e. With the help of some of history's great philosophers, this book ponders a host of deep questions raised in this timeless tale, such as: Are adventures simply \"nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things\" that \"make you late for dinner,\" or are they exciting and potentially life-changing events? What duties do friends have to one another? Should mercy be extended even to those who deserve to die?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eGives you new insights into \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit\u003c\/i\u003e's central characters, including Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Gollum, and Thorin and their exploits, from the Shire through Mirkwood to the Lonely Mountain\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplores key questions about \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit\u003c\/i\u003e's story and themes, including: Was the Arkenstone really Bilbo's to give? How should Smaug's treasure have been distributed? Did Thorin leave his \"beautiful golden harp\" at Bag-End when he headed out into the Wild? (If so, how much could we get for that on eBay?)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDraws on the insights of some of the world's deepest thinkers, from Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle to Immanuel Kant, William Blake, and contemporary American philosopher Thomas Nagel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom the happy halls of Elrond's Last Homely House to Gollum's \"slimy island of rock,\" this is a must read for longtime Tolkien fans as well as those discovering Bilbo Baggins and his adventures \"there and back again\" for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGregory Bassham\u003c\/b\u003e is Chair of the Philosophy Department at King's College and a professor of philosophy. He edited \u003ci\u003eThe Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e and co-edited \u003ci\u003eThe Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e (Open Court) and \u003ci\u003eThe Lord of the Rings and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEric Bronson\u003c\/b\u003e is a visiting professor in the Humanities Department at York University in Toronto, Canada. He is the editor of \u003ci\u003ePoker and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e (2012), and co-editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Lord of the Rings and Philosophy (2003)\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBaseball and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e (2011).\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam Irwin\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor of Philosophy at King's College. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling \u003ci\u003eThe Simpsons and Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e and has overseen recent titles including \u003ci\u003eHouse and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAlice in Wonderland and Philosophy.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50503383154962,"sku":"9780470405147","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e545db0a-3ab2-4822-a0f4-3aa77f700a52.jpg?v=1730789946","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/hobbit-philosophy-9780470405147","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}