Final fantasy and philosophy : the ultimate walkthrough / edited by Jason P. Blahuta and Michel S. Beaulieu.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Blahuta, Jason P., 1971-

Beaulieu, Michel S.

Series:

Blackwell philosophy and popculture series

The Blackwell philosophy and pop culture series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Final fantasy.

Fantasy games.

Video games.

Philosophy.

Video games--Philosophy.

Genre:

Fantasy games.

Video games.

Physical Description:

vii, 223 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, [2009]

Summary:

Does could really exist (or should we really care)?

Is Kefka really insane?

Do game characters fear death?

Are Moogles part of a socialist conspiracy?

Does the end of the game justify the means?

Final Fantasy is one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, and its universe is packed with compelling characters and incredible storylines. With this book, you'll be able to apply the wisdom of centuries of philosophy to any game in the series, including Final Fantasy XIII. Everything you'll need to achieve a greater understanding of Final Fantasy is here. As Mages, Moogles, fiends, and Kefka are mashed together with the likes of Machiavelli, Marx, Foucault, and Kafka, you'll delve into crucial topics such as madness, nihilism, environmental ethics, Shintoism the purpose of life, and much more. And of course, your intellectual status will be forever changed upon reading this book.

Guaranteed to add a new dimension to your understanding of the Final Fantasy universe, this book is the ultimate companion to the ultimate video game series.

Contents:

Part 1 Basic Controls and Understanding Your Characters

1 The Spiky-Haired Mercenary vs. the French Narrative Theorist: Final Fantasy and the Writerly Text / Benjamin Chandler 5

2 Kefka, Nietzsche, Foucault: Madness and Nihilism in Final Fantasy VI / Kylie Prymus 20

3 Judging the Art of Video Games: Hume and the Standard of Taste / Alex Nuttall 33

Part 2 Playing The Game-But What If It's Not A Game?

4 The Lifestream, Mako, and Gaia / Jay Foster 47

5 Gaia and Environmental Ethics in The Spirits Within / Jason P. Blahuta 61

6 Objectiflcation of Conscious Life Forms in Final Fantasy / Robert Arp, Sarah Fisk 72

Part 3 Abilities You Never Knew You Had

7 Final Fantasy and the Purpose of Life / Greg Littmann 87

8 The Four Warriors of Light Saved the World, but They Don't Deserve Our Thanks / Nicolas Michaud 110

Part 4 Side Quests of the Enlightened

9 Shinto and Alien Influences in Final Fantasy VII / Jonah Mitropoulos 125

10 Kupo for Karl and the Materialist Conception of History / Michel S. Beaulieu 142

11 Sin, Otherworldliness, and the Downside to Hope / David Hahn 151

Part 5 Other Ways to Enjoy the Game So It Never Ends

12 Human, All Too Human: Cloud's Existential Quest for Authenticity / Christopher R. Wood 167

13 Is the Fear of Stopping Justified? / Kevin Fitzpatrick 185

14 What's in a Name? Cid, Cloud, and How Names Refer / Andrew Russo, Jason Southworth 195.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780470415368

0470415363

OCLC:

316327102