Publisher Description

A philosophical exploration of the entire seven-book Harry Potter series Harry Potter has been heralded as one of the most popular book series of all time and the philosophical nature of Harry, Hermione, and Ron's quest to rid the world of its ultimate evil is one of the many things that make this series special. The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy covers all seven titles in J.K. Rowling's groundbreaking series and takes fans back to Godric's Hollow to discuss life after death, to consider what moral reasoning drove Harry to choose death, and to debate whether Sirius Black is a man or a dog. With publication timed to coincide with the release of the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), this book will be the definitive guide for all fans looking to appreciate the series on a deeper level. Covers a range of intriguing topics such as the redemption of Severus Snape, the power of love, and destiny in the wizarding worldGives you a new perspective on Harry Potter characters, plot lines, and themesMakes a perfect companion to the Harry Potter books and movies Packed with interesting ideas and insights, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy is an ideal companion for anyone interested in unraveling the subtext and exploring the greater issues at work in the story.

Back Cover

Is it always wrong to use a love potion? Is death something to be feared . . . or "mastered"? What can Severus Snape teach us about the possibility of redemption? Is love the most powerful magic of all? J. K. Rowling's wildly popular Harry Potter books may appear to be simple children's tales on the surface, but like Hogwarts, they conceal many hidden chambers, trapdoors, and perplexing secrets. Drawing on all seven books in the Harry Potter series, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy offers a powerful brew of insights about good and evil, love, death, power, sacrifice, and hope. Is it true, as Dumbledore says, that our choices reveal far more about us than our abilities do? Is there an afterlife, and what might it be like? Here's a Pensieve for your thoughts. So take a healthy slug of Baruffio's Brain Elixir and join Bassham's Army of talented philosophers in exploring the mind-stretching deeper questions of the Potter books and films.

Flap

Is it always wrong to use a love potion? Is death something to be feared . . . or "mastered"? What can Severus Snape teach us about the possibility of redemption? Is love the most powerful magic of all? J. K. Rowling's wildly popular Harry Potter books may appear to be simple children's tales on the surface, but like Hogwarts, they conceal many hidden chambers, trapdoors, and perplexing secrets. Drawing on all seven books in the Harry Potter series, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy offers a powerful brew of insights about good and evil, love, death, power, sacrifice, and hope. Is it true, as Dumbledore says, that our choices reveal far more about us than our abilities do? Is there an afterlife, and what might it be like? Here's a Pensieve for your thoughts. So take a healthy slug of Baruffio's Brain Elixir and join Bassham's Army of talented philosophers in exploring the mind-stretching deeper questions of the Potter books and films.

Author Biography

GREGORY BASSHAM is chair of the Philosophy Department and a professor of philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He is coeditor of the forthcoming The Hobbit and Philosophy and has coedited The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy, The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy, and Basketball and Philosophy. 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 Batman and Philosophy, House and Philosophy, and Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY TOM MORRIS xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Some House Points I'd Like to Award xv Introduction: Harry Potter and the Enchantment of Philosophy 1 PART ONE THE HORCRUX OF THE MATTER: DESTINY, IDENTITY, AND THE SOUL 1 The Soul in Harry Potter 7
Scott Sehon 2 Sirius Black: Man or Dog? 22
Eric Saidel 3 Destiny in the Wizarding World 35
Jeremy Pierce PART TWO THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC OF ALL 4 Choosing Love: The Redemption of Severus Snape 53
Catherine Jack Deavel and David Paul Deavel 5 Love Potion No. 9¾ 66
Gregory Bassham 6 Harry Potter, Radical Feminism, and the Power of Love 80
Anne Collins Smith PART THREE POTTERWATCH: FREEDOM AND POLITICS 7 Patriotism, House Loyalty, and the Obligations of Belonging 97
Andrew P. Mills 8 Dumbledore's Politics 113
Beth Admiraal and Regan Lance Reitsma 9 Dumbledore, Plato, and the Lust for Power 128
David Lay Williams and Alan J. Kellner PART FOUR THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT: A POTTER POTPOURRI 10 Is Dumbledore Gay? Who's to Say? 143
Tamar Szabó Gendler 11 Choices vs. Abilities: Dumbledore on Self-Understanding 157
Gregory Bassham 12 The Magic of Personal Transformation 172
S. Joel Garver 13 Just in Your Head? J. K. Rowling on Separating Reality from Illusion 185
John Granger with Gregory Bassham 14 A Pensieve for Your Thoughts? Harry Potter and the Magic of Memory 198
Amy Kind 15 A Hogwarts Education: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 212
Gregory Bassham PART FIVE BEYOND THE VEIL: DEATH, HOPE, AND MEANING 16 The Real Secret of the Phoenix: Moral Regeneration through Death 229
Charles Taliaferro 17 Beyond Godric's Hollow: Life after Death and the Search for Meaning 246
Jonathan L. Walls and Jerry L. Walls 18 Why Harry and Socrates Decide to Die: Virtue and the Common Good 258
Michael W. Austin CONTRIBUTORS: The Hogwarts (for Muggles) Faculty 271 THE MARAUDER ' S INDEX 279

Review

'Packedwith interesting ideas and insights an ideal companion foranyone interested in unraveling the subtext and exploring thegreater issues. (Planet-Print Blog.com, July2011).

Long Description

Is it always wrong to use a love potion? Is death something to be feared . . . or "mastered"? What can Severus Snape teach us about the possibility of redemption? Is love the most powerful magic of all? J. K. Rowlings wildly popular Harry Potter books may appear to be simple childrens tales on the surface, but like Hogwarts, they conceal many hidden chambers, trapdoors, and perplexing secrets. Drawing on all seven books in the Harry Potter series, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy offers a powerful brew of insights about good and evil, love, death, power, sacrifice, and hope. Is it true, as Dumbledore says, that our choices reveal far more about us than our abilities do? Is there an afterlife, and what might it be like? Heres a Pensieve for your thoughts. So take a healthy slug of Baruffios Brain Elixir and join Basshams Army of talented philosophers in exploring the mind-stretching deeper questions of the Potter books and films. To learn more about the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, BLACKWELL PHILOSOPHY AND POP CULTURE SERIES This book has not been approved, licensed, or sponsored by any entity or person involved in creating or producing Harry Potter, the book series, or films.

Review Quote

'Packed with interesting ideas and insights…an ideal companion for anyone interested in unraveling the subtext and exploring the greater issues.' (Planet-Print Blog.com, July 2011).

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