Robert Arp - The X-Files and Philosophy: The Truth Is in Here

Einstein may have said something once about science and religion, but The X-Files was able to show us what could not be said. The X-Files and Philosophy beautifully clarifies the issues of scientific knowledge and religious belief in a way that appreciates pop culture and it shows us important truths (no matter how Out There those truths are).

CHRISTINE A. JAMES, Valdosta State University

A huge part of the intrigue of The X-Filesjust as with lifeinvolves grappling with our notions of what we know, what we believe, and how we come to such conclusions. The stories recounted in The X-Files tease these issues out like no other show in history and, now, The X-Files and Philosophy helps us to delve deeper.

JACK BOWEN, author of If You Can Read This: The Philosophy of Bumper Stickers

Is the truth really Out There? This conspiracy of X-philes would have you at least wanting to believe that answers to some millennia-old questions are still worth trying to decipher. Are the answers supernatural, scientific, spooky? Depends on how you ask the question and go about finding the answer, but theres some sage advice here for starting your own X-File investigation into whether science or faith is the way to go, what types of things exist, why we should fear some things and trust others, and how, even if we find the truth, we might have a hard time believing it.

JASON T. EBERL, Semler Endowed Chair for Medical Ethics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University

There are persistent, unresolved mysteries that affect our daily lives, but these are often marginalized or even ignored. Luckily, there are those among us who dedicate their careers and talents to investigating such mysteries. Nonot just special agents like Mulder and Scully, but the philosophers Robert Arp has rounded up for this volume. Any further similarities between the two groups have mostly to do with the fact that members of both typically have windowless offices.

TUOMAS W. MANNINEN, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Arizona State University

Millions of television viewers have been gripped by The X-Files, many of them wanting to believe along with Mulder in the existence of conspiracy theories, paranormal activity, and monsters. The X-Files and Philosophy takes up in deft, engaging, and Scully-like fashion the epistemological, scientific, and ethical issues raised by this modern sci-fi classic.

CARRIE-ANN BIONDI, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Marymount Manhattan College

The X-Files trades in creature-features, conspiracy theories, and pan-governmental secrets. The X-Files and Philosophy brings us just what weve all been waiting for: new insights into the deeper lessons we can take from Mulder, Scully, Skinner, and the rest. Be careful, or you may find yourself rethinking everything.

RORY E. KRAFT, JR., Assistant Professor of Philosophy, York College of Pennsylvania

Which one are you? You know what I mean. Are you a Scully or a Mulder? Or do you just have a single, favorite episode that struck Home with its surreal, cant-pull-your-eyes-away-from-the-TV-screen storyline? In this collection of hard-hitting philosophical investigations, youll find that it doesnt matter. What will matter is that youll have to swear an oath to never, ever reveal the Truth about what you will soon learn. For you... The Truth wont be Out There anymore.

JOHN V. KARAVITIS, CPA, MBA, and popular writer

Once upon a time there was a guy with the improbable name of Fox Mulder. He started out life happily enough, as these things go. He and Dana Scully feared the possibilities, but they both looked for the truth. Here in your hands is the Truth itself, in a book that ranks right up there with getting a pony and learning how to braid your own hair.

JOE STEIFF, Professor of Cinema Art and Science, Columbia College Chicago

What is truth and why is it Out There? Is Scully or Mulder the real skeptic? Youll probably be left with more questions at the end than you had going inbut thats a familiar feeling for any X-Files fan.

RONDA BOWEN, consultant ghost writer and truth finder

Popular Culture and Philosophy Series Editor: George A. Reisch

VOLUME 1 Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing (2000)

VOLUME 2 The Simpsons and Philosophy: The Doh! of Homer (2001)

VOLUME 3 The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (2002)

VOLUME 4 Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale (2003)

VOLUME 9 Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts (2004)

VOLUME 12 Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine (2005)

VOLUME 13 Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (2005)

VOLUME 17 Bob Dylan and Philosophy: Irs Alright Ma (Im Only Thinking) (2006)

VOLUME 19 Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think! (2006)

VOLUME 30 Pink Floyd and Philosophy: Careful with that Axiom, Eugene! (2007)

VOLUME 35 Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant (2008)

VOLUME 36 The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: I Link Therefore I Am (2008)

VOLUME 42 Supervillains and Philosophy: Sometimes Evil Is Its Own Reward (2009)

VOLUME 45 World of Warcraft and Philosophy: Wrath of the Philosopher King (2009) Edited by Luke Cuddy and John Nordlinger

VOLUME 49 Zombies, Vampires, and Philosophy: New Life for the Undead (2010) Edited by Richard Greene and K. Silem Mohammad

VOLUME 51 Soccer and Philosophy: Beautiful Thoughts on the Beautiful Game (2010) Edited by Ted Richards

VOLUME 53 Martial Arts and Philosophy: Beating and Nothingness (2010) Edited by Graham Priest and Damon Young

VOLUME 54 The Onion and Philosophy: Fake News Story True, Alleges Indignant Area Professor (2010) Edited by Sharon M. Kaye

VOLUME 55 Doctor Who and Philosophy: Bigger on the Inside (2010) Edited by Courtland Lewis and Paula Smithka

VOLUME 57 Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United (2011) Edited by Jim Berti and Durrell Bowman

VOLUME 58 Dexter and Philosophy: Mind over Spatter (2011) Edited by Richard Greene, George A. Reisch, and Rachel Robison-Greene

VOLUME 60 SpongeBob SquarePants and Philosophy: Soaking Up Secrets Under the Sea! (2011) Edited by Joseph J. Foy

VOLUME 61 Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind (2011) Edited by Josef Steiff

VOLUME 64 The Rolling Stones and Philosophy: Its Just a Thought Away (2012) Edited by Luke Dick and George A. Reisch

VOLUME 67 Breaking Bad and Philosophy: Badder Living through Chemistry (2012) Edited by David R. Koepsell and Robert Arp

VOLUME 68 The Walking Dead and Philosophy: Zombie Apocalypse Now (2012) Edited by Wayne Yuen

VOLUME 69 Curb Your Enthusiasm and Philosophy: Awaken the Social Assassin Within (2012) Edited by Mark Ralkowski

VOLUME 71 The Catcher in the Rye and Philosophy: A Book for Bastards, Morons, and Madmen (2012) Edited by Keith Dromm and Heather Salter

VOLUME 73 The Wire and Philosophy: This America, Man (2013) Edited by David Bzdak, Joanna Crosby, and Seth Vannatta