Publisher Description

A lighthearted meditation on the philosophical quandaries of the hit television show The Big Bang Theory Ever wonder what Aristotle might say about the life Sheldon Cooper leads? Why Thomas Hobbes would applaud the roommate agreement? Who Immanuel Kant would treat with "haughty derision" for weaving "un-unravelable webs?" And—most importantly—whether Wil Wheaton is truly evil? Of course you have. Bazinga! This book mines the deep thinking of some of history's most potent philosophical minds to explore your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its nerdy genius characters. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force-chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa-loompa-like engineers. Fo-shizzle.

• Gives you irresistibly geek-worthy insights on your favorite Big Bang Theory characters, story lines, and ideas
• Examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition
• Brings the thinking of some of the world's greatest philosophers to bear on The Big Bang Theory, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and more

Essential reading for every Big Bang Theory fan, this book explores whether comic-book-wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God."

Notes

A light-hearted meditation on the philosophical quandaries of the hit TV show The Big Bang Theory. The deep thinking of some of history's most potent philosophical minds are brought to bear on the issues raised by the nerdy genius characters.

Back Cover

What would Aristotle make of Sheldon Cooper's life? Why would Thomas Hobbes applaud the roommate agreement? Why would Immanuel Kant heap haughty derision upon weaving un-unravelable webs? Is Sheldon's "scientistic" approach to everyday life healthy or doomed to failure? Is Wil Wheaton truly evil? The answers to your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its goofy geniuses can be found inside The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy . Packed with irresistibly geek-worthy insights on your favorite characters, storylines, and ideas, this book examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition. It brings the thinking of some of the world's greatest philosophers to bear on key aspects of the show, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and others. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force-chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa-loompa-like engineers. Essential reading for every fan of The Big Bang Theory , this book explores whether comic book-wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God." Bazinga!

Flap

What would Aristotle make of Sheldon Cooper's life? Why would Thomas Hobbes applaud the roommate agreement? Why would Immanuel Kant heap haughty derision upon weaving un-unravelable webs? Is Sheldon's "scientistic" approach to everyday life healthy or doomed to failure? Is Wil Wheaton truly evil? The answers to your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its goofy geniuses can be found inside The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy . Packed with irresistibly geek-worthy insights on your favorite characters, storylines, and ideas, this book examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition. It brings the thinking of some of the world's greatest philosophers to bear on key aspects of the show, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and others. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force-chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa-loompa-like engineers. Essential reading for every fan of The Big Bang Theory , this book explores whether comic book-wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God." Bazinga!

Author Biography

Dean A. Kowalski is an associate professor of philosophy at University of Wisconsin-Waukesha and the author of five books, most recently Moral Theory at the Movies and The Philosophy of Joss Whedon. William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King's College, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen recent titles including House and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy, and Inception and Philosophy.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix Introduction: "Unraveling the Mysteries" 1 Part One "It All Began On A Warm Summer's Evening In Greece": Aristotelian Insights 1 Aristotle on Sheldon Cooper: Ancient Greek Meets Modern Geek 7
Greg Littmann 2 "You're a Sucky, Sucky Friend": Seeking Aristotelian Friendship in The Big Bang Theory 21
Dean A. Kowalski 3 The Big Bang Theory on the Use and Abuse of Modern Technology 35
Kenneth Wayne Sayles III Part Two "Is It Wrong To Say I Love Our Killer Robot?": Ethics And Virtue 4 Feeling Bad about Feeling Good: Is It Morally Wrong to Laugh at Sheldon? 51
W. Scott Clifton 5 . . . But Is Wil Wheaton Evil? 65
Donna Marie Smith 6 Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?: Pleasure, Selfishness, and Virtue in The Big Bang Theory 80
Gregory L. Bock and Jeffrey L. Bock Part Three "Perhaps You Mean A Different Thing Than I Do When You Say 'Science'": Science, Scientism, And Religion 7 Getting Fundamental about Doing Physics in The Big Bang Theory 99
Jonathan Lawhead 8 Sheldon, Leonard, and Leslie: The Three Faces of Quantum Gravity 112
Andrew Zimmerman Jones 9 The One Paradigm to Rule Them All: Scientism and The Big Bang Theory 128
Massimo Pigliucci 10 Cooper Considerations: Science, Religion, and Family 144
Adam Barkman and Dean A. Kowalski Part Four "I Need Your Opinion On A Matter Of Semiotics": Language And Meaning 11 Wittgenstein and Language Games in The Big Bang Theory 161
Janelle Pötzsch 12 "I'm Afraid You Couldn't Be More Wrong!": Sheldon and Being Right about Being Wrong 175
Adolfas Mackonis 13 The Cooper Conundrum: Good Lord, Who's Tolerating Whom? 189
Ruth E. Lowe 14 The Mendacity Bifurcation 203
Don Fallis Part Five "The Human Experience That Has Always Eluded Me": The Human Condition 15 Mothers and Sons of The Big Bang Theory 219
Ashley Barkman 16 Penny, Sheldon, and Personal Growth through Difference 233
Nicholas G. Evans 17 Deconstructing the Women of The Big Bang Theory: So Much More Than Girlfriends 244
Mark D. White and Maryanne L. Fisher The Episode Compendium: "Hey, It's a Big Menu—There's Two Pages Just for Desserts" 257 Contributors:"But If We Were Part of the Team . . . We Could Drink for Free in Any Bar in Any College Town" 261 Index: "Cornucopia . . . Let's Make That Our Word of the Day" 267

Review

"If you're looking for a straight discussion of philosophy try reading Frederick Copleston's The History of Philosophy, but if you're open to learning in a fun environment try this book.   Just remember that this book is first of all a study of philosophy geared to the non-specialist.  The by-product of the book is that you will deepen your understanding of and engagement with the characters in these shows."  (Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 10 August 2012)  

Long Description

What would Aristotle make of Sheldon Cooper's life? Why would Thomas Hobbes applaud the roommate agreement? Why would Immanuel Kant heap haughty derision upon weaving un-unravelable webs? Is Sheldon's "scientistic" approach to everyday life healthy or doomed to failure? Is Wil Wheaton truly evil? The answers to your most pressing questions about The Big Bang Theory and its goofy geniuses can be found inside The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy . Packed with irresistibly geek-worthy insights on your favorite characters, storylines, and ideas, this book examines important themes involving ethics and virtue, science, semiotics, religion, and the human condition. It brings the thinking of some of the world's greatest philosophers to bear on key aspects of the show, from Aristotle and Plato to Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Simone de Beauvoir, and others. You might find other philosophy books on science and cosmology, but only this one refers to Darth Vader Force-chokes, cloning Leonard Nimoy, and oompa-loompa-like engineers. Essential reading for every fan of The Big Bang Theory , this book explores whether comic book wielding geeks can lead the good life, and whether they can know enough science to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God." Bazinga!

Review Text

?If you?re looking for a straight discussion of philosophy try reading Frederick Copleston?s The History of Philosophy, but if you?re open to learning in a fun environment try this book.   Just remember that this book is first of all a study of philosophy geared to the non-specialist.  The by-product of the book is that you will deepen your understanding of and engagement with the characters in these shows.?  (Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 10 August 2012)   Review copy sent on 29.6.12 to Ponderings on a Faith Journey

Review Quote

"If you're looking for a straight discussion of philosophy try reading Frederick Copleston's The History of Philosophy, but if you're open to learning in a fun environment try this book. Just remember that this book is first of all a study of philosophy geared to the non-specialist. The by-product of the book is that you will deepen your understanding of and engagement with the characters in these shows." ( Ponderings on a Faith Journey , 10 August 2012)

Details