Like Dylan in the Philosophy Room

by Brian on November 29, 2003

Last time we visited Weber State University it was to note the existence of a forthcoming volume on The Undead and Philosophy. Now comes a more worthy venture: Bob Dylan and Philosophy. Suggested paper topics include: What It’s Like to be a Rolling Stone; Dylan’s solution to the Toxin Puzzle – Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright; and The Philosophical Significance of Wiggle Wiggle.

Can I claim first dibs on Harry Potter and Philosophy, or has that already been taken?

Here’s the full call for papers.

Bob Dylan and Philosophy
Peter Vernezze & Carl Porter, Editors

Abstracts are sought for a collection of philosophical essays on Bob Dylan. The editors are currently in discussion with Open Court Press (The publisher of The Simpsons and Philosophy, The Matrix and Philosophy, and the forthcoming The Sopranos and Philosophy, etc.) regarding the inclusion of this collection in their “Popular Culture and Philosophy” series. We are seeking abstracts, but anyone who has already written an unpublished paper on this topic may submit it in its entirety. Potential contributors may want to examine other volumes in the Open Court Series.

The book plans to focus on all aspects of the work and life of Bob Dylan. Although we expect the study of his lyrics will form the core of the work, we also plan on including analysis from his work in other mediums such as film and poetry, as well as an examination of his role as a public figure, etc. Some obvious areas for papers include the history of philosophy, ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of religion, aesthetics, and philosophy of language. But papers in any area of philosophy will be considered.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone writing within a philosophic discipline who might be interested in contributing.
Contributor Guidelines:
1. Abstract of paper (100-750 words)
2. Resume/CV for each author/co-author of the paper
3. Initial submission may be by mail or email
4. Submission deadline: January 15th 2004

Mail:
Peter Vernezze
Department of Political Science and Philosophy
Weber State University
1203 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-1203

Thanks to Neil Levy for the link.

{ 6 comments }

1

John Isbell 11.30.03 at 4:27 am

I just reread the lyrics to Wiggle Wiggle, and yes they do fit the title. It has a kind of Traveling Wilburys’ tone, which fits the date. There are some good lyrics on “under the red sky”, a neglected Dylan album. The title track, for instance:
“Let the bird sing, let the bird fly
One day the man in the moon went home and the river ran dry.”

2

Arthur D. Hlavaty 11.30.03 at 1:54 pm

From religionwriters.com:

Tom Morris, a philosopher, author and president of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, N.C., is contributing a chapter to a book on philosophy and Harry Potter, forthcoming from Open Court Publishing. Morris’ chapter concerns courage.

3

Jonathan Ichikawa 12.01.03 at 4:09 am

Brian, Harry Potter and Philosophy would be huge. I’d love a crack at some of the issues in normative ethics — what kinds of entities have what kinds of rights? Wizards are pretty restrictive towards non-humans, as Hermione has been quick to note… but what about less humanoid beings that still appear sentient? Remember the Mandrakes? When they start trying to party with one another, they’re ready to be chopped up?

I know you’ve observed the fun causal loop in book three. And there’s plenty more to work with, too.

4

Brian Weatherson 12.01.03 at 5:36 am

It would be a fun book if it weren’t already taken! We’ll have to find yet more obscure ‘philosophy and…’ books to write. “Philosophy and James Joyce” has probably already been done, and could be very interesting, but wouldn’t sell that many copies I fear.

Or maybe the first Harry Potter book will be so bad that there’s room for a second…

5

nnyhav 12.01.03 at 2:21 pm

File under “Eternal Recurrence” again: Sent me back to the parody I heard performed at the No Exit Cafe: Don’t Think Right, It’s All Twice.

6

Miserable Failure 12.02.03 at 2:40 am

Baywatch and Philosophy

Abstracts are sought for a collection of philosophical essays on our favorite show, Baywatch. The editors are currently in discussion with Open Court Press (The publisher of The Simpsons and Philosophy, The Matrix and Philosophy, The Sopranos and Philosophy, and WWE Wrestling and Philosophy, etc.) regarding the inclusion of this collection in their “Popular Culture and Philosophy” series. We are seeking abstracts, but anyone who has already written an unpublished paper on this topic may submit it in its entirety. Potential contributors may want to examine other volumes in the Open Court Series.

The book plans to focus on all aspects of the show, Baywatch. Although we expect the study of the show’s scripts will form the core of the work, we also plan on including analysis of Baywatch’s forays into other mediums such as lunchboxes and posters, as well as an examination of its role as a force for public change, etc. Some obvious areas for papers include aesthetics, and, well, papers in any area of philosophy will be considered.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone writing within a philosophic discipline who might be interested in contributing.

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