
The Politics of Perfection
Technology and Creation in Literature and Film
Kimberly Hurd Hale(Author)
Lexington Books (Publisher)
Published on 7. October 2016
Book
Hardback
162 pages
978-1-4985-0992-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Politics of Perfection: Technology and Creation in Literature and Film provides an exploration of the relationship between modern technological progress and classical liberalism. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of a film or novel, including Fritz Lang's Metropolis, Ridley Scott's Prometheus, Michael Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, and Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. These works of fiction are examined through the lens of political thinkers ranging from Plato to Hannah Arendt. The compatibility of classical liberalism and technology is questioned, using fiction as a window into Western society's views on politics, economics, religion, technology, and the family. This project explores the intersection between human nature and creation, particularly artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, using works of literature and film to access cultural concerns. Each of the works featured asks a question about the relationship between technology and creation. Technology also allows humanity to create new types of life in the forms of artificial intelligence and genetically engineered beings. This book studies works of literature and film as evidence of the contemporary unease with the progress of technology and its effect on the political realm.
Reviews / Votes
The Politics of Perfection shows why and how philosophic thinking need not be confined to formal works of philosophy. Literature and film, when viewed with an eye towards important questions, provide essential fodder to explore life's most challenging unknowns. Hale's analysis helps her readers ask questions about whether or not there is a moral character to science and whether or not there is a human nature. In the end, she explains why it is necessary to ensure the moral character of our society by protecting the rights of the individual to life and liberty. -- Erin A. Dolgoy Working at the intersection of literature, film, and philosophy, Hale is able to show the ways artifacts of pop culture are imbued with philosophical insights and the ways political philosophy is both art and science. Her lucid prose makes this book accessible to students and teachers alike. By working through film and literature known well among the artifacts of popular culture, this book is likely to reach a conscientious public for whom technology is simultaneously a threat and a solution. -- Eduardo Velasquez, Independent ScholarMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
395 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4985-0992-3 (9781498509923)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2016
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€91.49
Available for download

E-Book
10/2016
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€91.49
Available for download
Person
Kimberly Hurd Hale is assistant professor of politics at Coastal Carolina University.
Content
Chapter One: Perfecting the Human
Chapter Two: The City Divided: Fritz Lang's Metropolis
Chapter Three: Of Gods and Robots: Ridley Scott's Prometheus
Chapter Four: The Politics of Remembering: Michael Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Chapter Five: The Price of Immortality: Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go and Natural Rights in a Cloned World
Chapter Six: Shiny People, Happy People: Saving the World from Mankind in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake
Chapter Two: The City Divided: Fritz Lang's Metropolis
Chapter Three: Of Gods and Robots: Ridley Scott's Prometheus
Chapter Four: The Politics of Remembering: Michael Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Chapter Five: The Price of Immortality: Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go and Natural Rights in a Cloned World
Chapter Six: Shiny People, Happy People: Saving the World from Mankind in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake