Movies and the Meaning of Life
Philosophers Take On Hollywood

Edited by Kimberly A. Blessing and Paul J. Tudico

"The meaning of life is the most urgent of questions," said the existentialist thinker Albert Camus. And no less a philosopher than Woody Allen has wondered: "How is it possible to find meaning in a finite world, given my waist and shirt size?"

Movies and the Meaning of Life looks at popular and cult movies, examining their assumptions and insights on meaning-of-life questions: What is reality and how can I know it? (The Truman Show, Contact, Waking Life); how do I find myself and my true identity? (Fight Club, Being John Malkovich); how do I find meaning from my interactions with others? (Pulp Fiction, Chasing Amy); what is the chief purpose in life? (American Beauty, Life Is Beautiful); and how ought I live my life? (Pleasantville, Spiderman).

Kimberly A. Blessing is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York.

Paul J. Tudico is Lecturer in Philosophy at East Tennessee State University.