The Magic Kingdom and the Meaning of Life - by Adam Kadlac (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

What truths and life lessons can we take away from a seemingly trivial theme park in Orlando, Florida?

Father and philosopher Adam Kadlac reflects on his own visits to Walt Disney World, arguing that Disney theme parks are a remarkably fruitful environment in which to reflect on the human condition. On the one hand, engagement with the worlds of Disney is a pervasive feature of many people's everyday experience. On the other hand, the fantastical nature of Disney theme parks casts light on aspects of our lives that may otherwise seem unremarkable. If, on a day out at the Magic Kingdom, we pause to absorb our surroundings, our thoughts can quickly turn to all sorts of important topics and questions: authenticity and pleasure; what it means for corporations to play such a large role in our culture; whether nostalgia is always bad; and, of course, princesses (so, so many princesses.

The Magic Kingdom and the Meaning of Life will challenge Disney lovers and sceptics alike to think more deeply about the things that matter to them.

Review Quotes

"With poignant philosophical insights and moving personal stories, Kadlac's wonderful book shows how Disney is a surprisingly rich lens through which to think about identity and pleasure, princesses and hipsters, and so much more. Regardless of how you feel about the Disney empire, this inspiring book will provoke you to ask big questions about how pop culture influences our ideas about what it means to live happily ever after."
Skye C. Cleary, Columbia University, and author of How to Be Authentic

"Kadlac leads us on a lively ride through philosophical themes inspired by Disney's parks - the tension between the aristocratic and ordinary in the concept of the 'princess', the strange irony of being anxious about being insufficiently happy, the underappreciated merits of waiting in long lines, and the idiosyncratic and private nature of each individual's reaction to a mass experience. Philosophical culture criticism at its finest."
Eric Schwitzgebel, University of California, Riverside, and author of The Weirdness of the World

"This is what philosophically informed cultural criticism should look like. It starts from the most mundane experiences - waiting in line at the amusement park, for instance - and transforms our understanding of them. And it does so with an unpretentious verve that is fun to read. If you have a friend or relative who's being a grump about going to Disneyland because they think it'll be nothing more than a mind-deadening experience in passive consumption, then this book is for them!"
Zed Adams, The New School, and author of On the Genealogy of Color

About the Author

Adam Kadlac is Teaching Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University, where he is also involved in the Disability Studies Initiative. His teaching and research centre on ethics and political philosophy (broadly construed). In recent years, he has developed particular interests in the philosophy of sport and the role that hope can play in a flourishing human life. Kadlac is the author of The Ethics of Sports Fandom (2022).