While few philosophers would today admit to sharing Plato's views of the corrupting influence of poets, one can perhaps hear an echo of Plato's hostility in philosophy's neglect of popular culture. Suggesting that this stance is misguided, Irwin (philosophy, King's College) and Gracia (philosophy, State U. of New York at Buffalo) urge that philosophy engage with popular culture because it may spur greater interest in philosophy and because it can help philosophy stay engaged with the agora (or the mall). The first six of the twelve papers they present address theoretical issues concerning the philosophical study of popular culture, including the use of allusion in art, the basis of audience ties to popular fiction characters, the nature of aesthetic communities, and the transactional value of entertainment. The other six papers use the interpretation of television shows, films, children's stories, comic books, and pop songs to raise economic, aesthetic, ethical, and political issues. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Comprised of thirteen articles by well-known authors, this book makes the case to philosophers that popular culture is worthy of their attention. Issues of concern include the distinction between high culture and popular culture, the aesthetic and moral value of popular culture, allusion and identification in popular culture, and special problems posed by the interpretation of popular culture. Popular art forms considered include: movies, television shows, comic books, children's stories, photographs, and rock songs.
