Springer Searching for Wisdom In Movies: From the Book of Job to Sublime Conversations

In this volume, Richard Gilmore explores film as a channel through which to engage in philosophical reflection and analyzes the relationship between philosophy and film. This book argues that philosophy and film can and should be used for the amelioration of life’s difficulties and the promotion of life’s boons. Gilmore identifies how philosophy and film complement and enrich one another and explores their relationship by connecting classic wisdom texts to significant movies. For example, the volume analyzes the Coen brothers’ films The Big Lebowski and A Serious Man in light of The Book of Job. Gilmore considers the ancient idea of philosophy as “spiritual exercise” and a way of life. The volume concludes by examining what the author labels “sublime conversations” as the highest expression of philosophy. The book identifies and dissects these conversations in movies directed by the likes of Robert Bresson, Yasujirō Ozu, Jean-Luc Godard, and Ingmar Bergman, among others. Review “This book offers creative interpretations of a diverse range of films. Gilmore’s passionate writing inspires contemplation about our humanity and our potential for conversations.” (Jadranka Skorin-Kapov, Stony Brook University, USA; author of “Darren Aronofsky’s Films and the Fragility of Hope”) “Searching for Wisdom in Movies is a bracing contribution to the philosophy of film. Richard Gilmore provides a strikingly original way to think about how film can contribute to philosophy―indeed, can be philosophy. Philosophers as well as cineastes will find Gilmore’s explorations of the erotic, the ridiculous, the tragic, and the sublime in film both insightful and thought-provoking.” (Dan Flory, Montana State University, USA; author of “Philosophy, Black Film, Film Noir”) From the Back Cover In this volume, Richard Gilmore explores film as a channel through which to engage in philosophical reflection and analyzes the relationship between philosophy and film. This book argues that philosophy and film can and should be used for the amelioration of life’s difficulties and the promotion of life’s boons. Gilmore identifies how philosophy and film complement and enrich one another and explores their relationship by connecting classic wisdom texts to significant movies. For example, the volume analyzes the Coen brothers’ films T he Big Lebowski and A Serious Man in light of The Book of Job. Gilmore considers the ancient idea of philosophy as “spiritual exercise” and a way of life. The volume concludes by examining what the author labels “sublime conversations” as the highest expression of philosophy. The book identifies and dissects these conversations in movies directed by the likes of Robert Bresson, Yasujirō Ozu, Jean-Luc Godard, and Ingmar Bergman, among others. About the Author Richard Gilmore is Professor and Chair of the Philosophy Department at Concordia College, USA. He is the author of Philosophical Health: Wittgenstein’s Method in Philosophical Investigations, Doing Philosophy at the Movies, and Postmodern Movies: Neo-Comic Tragedies, Neo-Noirs, Neo-Westerns.