Philosophy in The Twilight Zone

Summary

Lauded by fans and critics alike, Rod Serling's groundbreaking The Twilight Zone series is one of pop culture's most enduring icons. By exploring the fantastical depths of the unknown, the 156 original episodes (1959-64) continue to hold viewers spellbound. While the stories embrace elements of the supernatural, they were also quite consciously intended to enlighten the public on a broad range of philosophical issues - often by violating conventions of classical narration (to say nothing of the laws of physics). Philosophy in The Twilight Zone delves deeply into the complex philosophical strands woven throughout the series - issues including skepticism, the ethics of war and peace, and the nature of privacy, personal dignity, knowledge, love, happiness, and justice. A collection of original essays by leading philosophical scholars focus on individual or pairs of episodes or examine broader philosophical themes raised in the series. An illuminating critical and biographical introduction to series creator and principle writer Rod Serling is also "submitted for your approval." Philosophy in The Twilight Zone is a thought-provoking journey into the philosophical landscape of a series that did indeed take us into a dimension not only of sight and sound - but of mind.