Details

<p>Hacking into This Book (Introduction) vii<br /><i>Luke Cuddy</i></p> <p><b>Part I Level 1 Research Bonus: Increased Wisdom Capacity 1</b></p> <p>1 <i>BioShock</i>’s Meta‐Narrative: What <i>BioShock </i>Teaches the Gamer about Gaming 3<br /><i>Collin Pointon</i></p> <p>2 The Value of Art in <i>BioShock: </i>Ayn Rand, Emotion, and Choice 15<br /><i>Jason Rose</i></p> <p>3 SHODAN vs. the Many: Or, Mind vs. the Body 27<br /><i>Robert M. Mentyka</i></p> <p>4 “The cage is somber”: A Feminist Understanding of Elizabeth 38<br /><i>Catlyn Origitano</i></p> <p><b>Part II Tears, Time, and Reality 49</b></p> <p>5 Rapture in a Physical World: Did Andrew Ryan Choose the Impossible? 51<br /><i>James Cook</i></p> <p>6 Would You Kindly Bring Us the Girl and Wipe Away the Debt: Free Will and Moral Responsibility in <i>BioShock</i> <i>Infinite </i>58<br /><i>Oliver Laas</i></p> <p>7 <i>BioShock </i>as Plato’s Cave 69<br /><i>Roger Travis</i></p> <p>8 <i>BioShock Infinite </i>and Transworld Individuality: Identity across Space and Time 76<br /><i>Charles Joshua Horn</i></p> <p>9 Shockingly Limited: Escaping Columbia’s God of Necessity 86<br /><i>Scott Squires and James McBain</i></p> <p><b>Part III The “Union” and the Sodom Below 95</b></p> <p>10 “The bindings are there as a safeguard”: Sovereignty and Political Decisions in <i>BioShock Infinit</i>e 97<br /><i>Rick Elmore</i></p> <p>11 Propaganda, Lies, and Bullshit in <i>BioShock</i>’s Rapture 107<br /><i>Rachel McKinnon</i></p> <p>12 The Vox Populi Group, Marx, and Equal Rights for All 114<br /><i>Tyler DeHaven and Chris Hendrickson</i></p> <p><b>Part IV The Circus of Values 127</b></p> <p>13 Infinite Lighthouses, Infinite Stories: <i>BioShock </i>and the Aesthetics of Video Game Storytelling 129<br /><i>László Kajtár</i></p> <p>14 Have You Ever Been to Rapture?: <i>BioShock </i>as an Introduction to Phenomenology 139<br /><i>Stefan Schevelier</i></p> <p>15 “Evolve today!”: Human Enhancement Technologies in the <i>BioShock </i>Universe 150<br /><i>Simon Ledder</i></p> <p>16 Vending Machine Values: Buying Beauty and Morality in <i>BioShock </i>161<br /><i>Michael J. Muniz</i></p> <p>Notes on Contributors 168</p> <p>Index 173</p>

<p><b>LUKE CUDDY</b> is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. He edited <i>The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy, World of Warcraft and Philosophy</i>, and <i>HALO and Philosophy</i>. An avid guitar player as well as gamer, he continues to annoy his friends with impromptu performances of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." <p><b>WILLIAM IRWIN</b> (series editor) is Professor of Philosophy at King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as co-editor of the bestselling <i>The Simpsons and Philosophy</i>, and has overseen titles including <i>House and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy,</i> and <i>Veronica Mars and Philosophy.</i>

<p><b>What does BioShock teach the gamer about gaming?</b> <p><b>Should we be able to buy beauty and morality from a vending machine?</b> <p><b>Is BioShock a legitimate critique of Ayn Rand's philosophy?</b> <p><b>Did Booker ever have free will?</b> <p><b>Will humans ever be able to shoot lightning out of their hands?</b> <p>BioShock is a critically acclaimed "first-person shooter" video game first released in 2007. While gamers still thrill at taking down a rivet gun–wielding Big Daddy, what truly impresses BioShock aficionados is its incredibly immersive environment—from the atmospheric retro music and chilling audio diaries to a compelling storyline inspired by the controversial philosophy of Ayn Rand. Setting aside the eye-popping visuals of the game's nightmarish underwater dystopia, players must confront a remarkable series of philosophical choices based on morality, free will, and human nature. <p><i>BioShock and Philosophy</i> features a collection of serious philosophical reflections on questions raised during the course of BioShock game play. Various philosophers consider a wide range of thought-provoking topics and ideas, including the accuracy of game developer Ken Levine's depiction of Rand's philosophy. As well as some of humanity's deepest mysteries, other topics include: <ul> <li>The ethical concerns raised by the technologically advanced society portrayed in BioShock</li> <li>Marxist philosophy in relation to the underground insurgency of Vox Populi</li> <li>Questions of identity in relation to body and soul raised by Elizabeth's ability to manipulate tears that exist in the fabric of time</li> </ul> <p>And what about the possibility of a future dystopian nightmare created by a real-life Andrew Ryan? If that ever happens, the intriguing philosophical musings of <i>BioShock and Philosophy</i> may just help prepare us for such a truly frightening scenario. <p>Considered a sign of the "coming of age" of video games as an artistic medium, the award-winning BioShock franchise covers vast philosophical ground. <i>BioShock and Philosophy</i> presents expert reflections by philosophers (and Bioshock connoisseurs) on this critically acclaimed and immersive fan favorite.

US