The Wheel of Time and Philosophy - (Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture) by Jacob M Held & William Irwin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Delve through a unique exploration of the philosophy underlying The Wheel of Time

"The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten..." Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time is a story of mythic proportions, following Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, as he marches toward Tarmon Gai'don, the last battle between the forces of good and evil. Male and Female 'channelers' wield complementary halves of the one power, some for good, others in service to the Dark One. But in a world of polar opposites, there is ambiguity. Rand, alongside his comrades, must navigate a complex world where anybody may be a Darkfriend and even dreams may be lethal, all while learning to become the heroes of legend they thought only existed in gleeman's tales.

Drawing from both the beloved book series and the Amazon Prime adaptation, 18 scholars and fans provide readers with a deeper understanding of the ideas woven throughout the rich world of The Wheel of Time. Covering wide ranging themes from magic rooted in biological sex and the meaning of gender to Wolf-brothers and humanity's connection to the animal world, from slavery and servitude to pacifism and polyamory, these authors tackle issues paramount to understanding the human condition. Substantial yet accessible chapters address philosophical questions including:

• Could there be a world without evil?
• Who is the author of a work?
• Should we prefer existence to nothingness?
• Does fate determine our future, and does it matter?
• When, if ever, is war justified?

Featuring contributions from scholars with expertise in philosophy, literature, and media studies, The Wheel of Time and Philosophy: A Portion of Wisdom is ideal a must-read for fans, philosophy students and scholars alike who wish to explore the deeper intellectual currents running through The Wheel of Time.

About the Author

Jacob M. Held is Professor of Philosophy and Assistant Provost for Academic Assessment and General Education at the University of Central Arkansas. His work primarily explores the intersection of philosophy and popular culture. He has edited several volumes, including Wonder Woman and Philosophy, Stephen King and Philosophy, and Dr. Seuss and Philosophy. His research interests span constitutional law, philosophy of religion, and nineteenth-century German philosophy.