{"product_id":"like-a-splinter-in-your-mind-isbn-9781405125246","title":"Like a Splinter in Your Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLike a Splinter in Your Mind\u003c\/i\u003e leads readers through the myriad of philosophical themes within the Matrix trilogy, helping them to gain a better understanding of the films and of philosophy itself.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eOffers a way into philosophy through the Matrix films.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCovers thirteen of the biggest philosophical questions in thirteen self-sufficient chapters suitable for course use.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDemonstrates how each of these questions is illustrated through the events and characters of the films.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConsiders whether sentient machines are possible, and whether we should expect them to face the same existentialist issues that we do.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFamiliarises readers with key issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, race and gender, existentialism, Taoism and mysticism.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes a chapter that explains some of the technical elements of the films and confusing aspects of the plot.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAlso includes a Matrix glossary, and a cast of characters and their related symbolism.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments vi\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMatrix Quotations Legend viii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction: Jacking into the Philosophy Behind the Matrix 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 Before the Philosophy: Understanding the Films 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole: Knowledge, Reality, and the Pit of Skepticism 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 Mind and Body in Zion 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 Are Sentient Machines Possible? 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 The Problem is Choice: Control, Free Will, and Causal Determinism 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 How to Really Bake Your Noodle: Time, Fate, and the Problem of Foreknowledge 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 Virtual Bodies: The Construction of Race and Gender in the Matrix 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 Agent Smith’s Moral Challenge 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 De-Cyphering Right and Wrong 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 There Is No Spoon: Reflections on the Material World 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 Morpheus and the Leap of Faith 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 Facing the Absurd: Existentialism for Humans and Programs 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 The Tao of the Code 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 Overcoming Your Own Matrix 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMatrix Cast of Characters 198\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMatrix Glossary 207\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCast of Philosophers 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 221\u003c\/p\u003e  \"Given the wide variety of topics covered, the unique perspective, and the inviting style, \u003ci\u003eSplinter\u003c\/i\u003e truly is the book Matrix fans have been waiting for. As an introduction to philosophy, it's first-rate, both for fans of the trilogy, and even those who aren't.\" \u003ci\u003eTHEMATRIX101.COM\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"The book is exceptionally well-organized: Lawrence has done a remarkable job of isolating the salient issues and examining them systematically, one by one, chapter by chapter, in a colloquial, witty style that enhances the accessibility of his method.\" \u003ci\u003eThe Boston Phoenix, Friday September 24, 2004\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eMatt Lawrence\u003c\/b\u003e is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Long Beach City College. \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt's the questions that drive us.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat is real?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow do you know what is real?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCan we be certain that we are not in a Matrix ourselves?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDoes free will exist inside the Matrix? Does it exist outside the Matrix?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAre our minds just our brains?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAre sentient machines possible?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIs it ever best to take the blue pill?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt's the questions that brought you here.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eMatrix\u003c\/i\u003e films are not just about Kung Fu and special effects. Rather, they are about knowledge, reality, consciousness, freedom, fate, foreknowledge, good, evil, faith, enlightenment, and the very meaning of existence. In short, they are about philosophy – with some impressive special effects on the side.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eLike a Splinter in Your Mind\u003c\/i\u003e guides you through thirteen of the core philosophical questions that are explored in the \u003ci\u003eMatrix\u003c\/i\u003e films. You will see how Morpheus manifests Kierkegaard's philosophy of faith, how Neo, the Merovingian, and Ghost exemplify the three major positions on free will, how the objectivity of value judgments are challenged by Agent Smith, and much more.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMatt Lawrence brings a philosopher's insight to all three of the \u003ci\u003eMatrix\u003c\/i\u003e films, giving us a better appreciation of the trilogy, and a solid grasp of key issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, race and gender, existentialism, Taoism and mysticism. And while his focus is squarely on the films, he also shows us how these questions relate to our own lives and our own philosophical journeys.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989530460389,"sku":"NP9781405125246","price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781405125246.jpg?v=1761784479","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/like-a-splinter-in-your-mind-isbn-9781405125246","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}