Mad Max and Philosophy: Thinking Through the Wasteland - Paperback

by Matthew P. Meyer (Editor), David Koepsell (Editor), William Irwin (Editor)

Explore the philosophy at the core of the apocalyptic future of Mad Max

Beneath the stylized violence and thrilling car crashes, the Mad Max films consider universal questions about the nature of human life, order and anarchy, justice and moral responsibility, society and technology, and ultimately, human redemption. In Mad Max and Philosophy, a diverse team of political scientists, historians, and philosophers investigates the underlying themes of the blockbuster movie franchise, following Max as he attempts to rebuild himself and the world around him.

Requiring no background in philosophy, this engaging and highly readable book guides you through the barren wastelands of a post-apocalyptic future as you explore ethics and politics in The Wasteland, the importance of costumes and music, humankind's relationship with nature, commerce, gender, religion, madness, and much more.

• Covers all of George Miller's Mad Max films, including Mad Max: Fury Road
• Discusses connections between Mad Max and Nietzsche, Malthus, Mill, Foucault, Sartre, and other major philosophers
• Follows Max's journey from policeman and family man to lost soul in search of redemption
• Examines the future of technology and possible impacts on society, the environment, and access to natural resources
• Delves into feminist themes of Mad Max, such as the reversal of heroic gender roles in Fury Road and relationships between power and procreation

Part of the bestselling Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, Mad Max and Philosophy: Thinking Through the Wasteland is a must-read for anyone wanting to philosophically engage with Max, Furiosa, and their dystopian world.

Back Jacket

How do Max's choices illuminate the meaning of life?
Can Furiosa inspire feminist revolution?

Does life need to be nasty, brutish, and short in the wasteland?
What is the real cost of guzzoline?

What is "good" when you're on the road or in the Thunderdome?
Why is violence not the same as power for Lord Humungus and Immortan Joe?

Don't be fooled by the crashing cars and beautifully choreographed violence--the Mad Max franchise is ultimately about human redemption. In fact, these apocalyptic, futuristic films can tell us a lot about ourselves today. From a work-a-day policeman with a family, to a lost soul who is more than once mistaken as a savior, Max rebuilt himself and the world around him.

In Mad Max and Philosophy, philosophers, political scientists, historians, and writers all come together to think through the wasteland, covering all of George Miller's Mad Max films, including Mad Max: Fury Road. The chapters in this volume explore everything from ethics and politics in an apocalyptic world, to the importance of costumes and music, to nature, commerce, madness, and more.

Mad Max fans are in for the intellectual ride of a lifetime.

Author Biography

MATTHEW P. MEYER is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has contributed chapters to several books in the Wiley "And Philosophy" series, as well as journal articles covering Nietzsche, Mystic River, environmental ethics, and colonialism.

DAVID KOEPSELL is an entrepreneur, author, philosopher, attorney, and educator whose recent research focuses on the issues arising at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, and public policy. He is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Philosophy Department at Texas A&M University.