Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think! (Popular Culture and Philosophy) 
asked by alexis on November 2, 2006 1:49 AM
From the 1970s cult TV show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, to the current hit musical Spamalot, the Monty Python comedy troupe has been at the center of popular culture and entertainment. The Pythons John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam are increasingly recognized and honored for their creativity and enduring influence in the worlds of comedy and film. Monty Python and Philosophy extends that recognition into the world of philosophy. Fifteen experts in topics like mythology, Buddhism, feminism, logic, ethics, and the philosophy of science bring their expertise to bear on Python movies such as Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Flying Circus mainstays such as the Argument Clinic, the Dead Parrot Sketch, and, of course, the Bruces, the Pythons’ demented, song-filled vision of an Australian philosophy department. Monty Python and Philosophy follows the same hit format as the other titles in this popular series and explains all the philosophical concepts discussed in laymen’s terms.
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I must preface my comments with the following disclaimer: I've always been a huge Monty Python fan; and I've always had a strong interest in philosophy (in fact, I minored in Philosophy in college). I've read and enjoyed other volumes in the Philosophy and Modern Culture series ("The Simpsons and Philosophy", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy", and "The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy"). And I've always felt that Monty Python's humor was deeply philosophical. So, perhaps I am predisposed to loving this book. Please take my biases into account when considering my recommendation. If you aren't a Monty Python fan, don't even bother with this book -- you won't get it. Likewise, if you don't have a serious interest in philosophy, this book is probably not for you.
This is a book of serious philosophical essays, written by serious philosophers, only one of whom is actually named Bruce. Of course, just because the philosophy in this volume is "serious" doesn't mean that it is not also funny. The book is filled with Pythonesque humor. (Philosophers, as a rule, are a silly bunch.) But this is real philosophy, inspired by Monty Python; it is NOT a parody of philosophy written by the Pythons.
The essays in this volume deal with philosophical issues such as: Why "The Life of Brian" is heretical, but not actually blasphemous. Why the explosion of Mr. Creosote from "The Meaning of Life" is funny, not just disgusting. What the Piston Engine sketch tells us about language and meaning. Why an Argument Clinic might actually be useful. Whether God is British (and what this implies for the eternal fate of Python fans). The feminist subtext of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". What "The Meaning of Life" tells us about transcendentalism. And much more.
This is a book of serious philosophical essays, written by serious philosophers, only one of whom is actually named Bruce. Of course, just because the philosophy in this volume is "serious" doesn't mean that it is not also funny. The book is filled with Pythonesque humor. (Philosophers, as a rule, are a silly bunch.) But this is real philosophy, inspired by Monty Python; it is NOT a parody of philosophy written by the Pythons.
The essays in this volume deal with philosophical issues such as: Why "The Life of Brian" is heretical, but not actually blasphemous. Why the explosion of Mr. Creosote from "The Meaning of Life" is funny, not just disgusting. What the Piston Engine sketch tells us about language and meaning. Why an Argument Clinic might actually be useful. Whether God is British (and what this implies for the eternal fate of Python fans). The feminist subtext of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". What "The Meaning of Life" tells us about transcendentalism. And much more.
reviewed by alexis on November 17, 2006 4:27 AM
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Gary L. Hardcastle and George A. Reisch's Monty Python And Philosophy is for any Python fan, whether or not they like philosophy. Here professional philosophers and amateur Python fans celebrate and discuss the unlikely intersections of humor and philosophy, with comedy blending to metaphysics and ethics blending into TV and film insights. Especially recommended for college-level readers reluctant to enter the world of philosophy.
reviewed by ivan on November 29, 2006 5:04 PM
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Continuing their great series on Popular Culture and Philosophy, the assembled contributors look towards one of the great sources of laughter - Monthy Python. Python is one of those shows/movies that can be viewed on many levels, as these authors show, disentangling philosophical lessons and examples from the work of the British comedians. Wonderfully, the chapters draw upon numerous different areas of the Phython's work for examples, from the earliest moments of their first television broadcast to their last movie together. Unlike other volumes that have looked at more limited source materials (one film for the Matrix and Philosophy, and 6 films for Star Wars and Philosophy) there is a greater spread of the work examined, showing some alternative meanings in much of the work done by the troupe.
The first part of the book follows the successful formula of the series by looking at a variety of examples to reflect philosophical meaning and examples in the work of Monty Python. The second part is a new direction for the series, and delves into philosophical aspects of the Python's work, and then in the third section reverses the mirror and looks at the Pythonic aspects of philosophy or trying to show how some aspects of philosophy can be viewed in a Pythonian way. It is here that the book starts to slow down. These essays admirably look at philosophical themes and how they are reflected in Python's work, using small snippets of Python to illustrate points. These essays delve deeper into philosophical writings than those in the earlier section and are tougher to get through. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing - philosophy should make us think. Finally, the third section with Pythonian aspects of Philosophy tries to launch into areas of philosophy and show some strands to be seemingly silly and python-esque and read much more like an essay you would find in a philosophical publication, not as much a book on popular culture and philosophy. However, if you are more serious into philosophy, I believe that you may enjoy these areas.
Overall the series continues to move along, and with so much of Python's work left unexamined, one can hope that there might be a second volume to continue on these philosophical themes.
The first part of the book follows the successful formula of the series by looking at a variety of examples to reflect philosophical meaning and examples in the work of Monty Python. The second part is a new direction for the series, and delves into philosophical aspects of the Python's work, and then in the third section reverses the mirror and looks at the Pythonic aspects of philosophy or trying to show how some aspects of philosophy can be viewed in a Pythonian way. It is here that the book starts to slow down. These essays admirably look at philosophical themes and how they are reflected in Python's work, using small snippets of Python to illustrate points. These essays delve deeper into philosophical writings than those in the earlier section and are tougher to get through. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing - philosophy should make us think. Finally, the third section with Pythonian aspects of Philosophy tries to launch into areas of philosophy and show some strands to be seemingly silly and python-esque and read much more like an essay you would find in a philosophical publication, not as much a book on popular culture and philosophy. However, if you are more serious into philosophy, I believe that you may enjoy these areas.
Overall the series continues to move along, and with so much of Python's work left unexamined, one can hope that there might be a second volume to continue on these philosophical themes.
reviewed by lovieduvie on November 29, 2006 5:13 PM