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endtropy's review
Only read some parts of it for class, might go back and finish some other time
sssummer's review
4.0
It's a great idea to mix media and philosophy like this! Each essay was a really unique approach or topic from one another, and we get a good representation of analysis from the different branches of philosophy.
My rating is probably skquered high just because this experience was a novelty for me and so I had a lot of fun with every essay, even the ones I didn't like. I think even though their explorations of subjects were brief it is sometimes kinda nicer to read through briefer but more philosophical ideas. Ie for a format like this that is so causal, quantity over quality was fine with me. Not to imply that they were all low quality, some were really awesome. But it definitely was a mixed bag.
I have a whole google doc where I meticulously responded to each essay, for my sanity's sake. But the tldr; "Dursley Duplicity", "Magic, Science, and the Ethics of Technology" are really great.
"Heaven, Hell, and Harry Potter" was Olympic level mental gymnastics (not a compliment) and "Feminism and Equal Opportunity: Hermione and the Women of Hogwarts" was some really dated feminism, relying on proving that because the female characters succeeded at traditionally masculine traits and because they often surpassed the male characters this proved feminism. She ends up really tearing down some of the male characters in this process (even Harry lmao) to prove her point. Also Colette Dowling is referenced legitimately.
My rating is probably skquered high just because this experience was a novelty for me and so I had a lot of fun with every essay, even the ones I didn't like. I think even though their explorations of subjects were brief it is sometimes kinda nicer to read through briefer but more philosophical ideas. Ie for a format like this that is so causal, quantity over quality was fine with me. Not to imply that they were all low quality, some were really awesome. But it definitely was a mixed bag.
I have a whole google doc where I meticulously responded to each essay, for my sanity's sake. But the tldr; "Dursley Duplicity", "Magic, Science, and the Ethics of Technology" are really great.
"Heaven, Hell, and Harry Potter" was Olympic level mental gymnastics (not a compliment) and "Feminism and Equal Opportunity: Hermione and the Women of Hogwarts" was some really dated feminism, relying on proving that because the female characters succeeded at traditionally masculine traits and because they often surpassed the male characters this proved feminism. She ends up really tearing down some of the male characters in this process (even Harry lmao) to prove her point. Also Colette Dowling is referenced legitimately.
maxinercd's review
1.0
To be honest, I was disappointed. Maybe I shouldn't have started with [b:The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles|7942674|The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy Hogwarts for Muggles|Gregory Bassham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348815696l/7942674._SX50_.jpg|11383649] which I found really rich and well-written. But this one was just too based on religion rather than philosophy generally speaking as mentioned in the title, and lacked concrete examples. Also, the fact that every chapter was so interesting at the beginning but then ended on irrelevant conclusions really frustrated me.
PS : how can you write about the philosophical aspect in the Harry Potter series and still be so wrong about the character of Draco?!
PS : how can you write about the philosophical aspect in the Harry Potter series and still be so wrong about the character of Draco?!
obscuredbyclouds's review
2.0
It's a mixed bag. Maybe if I was experiencing an acute Harry Potter phase, I would have liked it more. But as philosophy book, it was weak. About half of the essays really bored me, and it was hard to keep focussed or figure out what exactly their point was. General "Looking at the philosophical theme of X in Harry Potter" always bore me, I much prefer the ones that go a little deeper. So enjoyed the one about free will vs determinism in the series, or spacial/time lines. Overall just an okay book.
merrykiiins's review
4.0
Some essays were better than others, but I found the collection overall enjoyable and thought provoking. Would have been five stars if the authors included references/material from Harry Potter books 6 and 7 as well.
karinaleonard's review
4.0
This is a funny and very satisfying read. I learned a lot more about Aristotle and his ideas (and philosophy), and loved the excellent insight on the books. It was very inspiring about morals and virtues and I found myself reading aloud quotes to my family as I read. This book was published before the last two Harry Potter books came out, so they only really talk about the first five, but they got a lot of things right. Even if you haven't read any of the Harry Potter series, I think that you would enjoy it. I'm going to read the last essay as soon as I can!
libkatem's review
1.0
I knew going in that this book only covers through Order of the Phoenix, missing out on a significant amount of the story.
But here's the thing, this book... I couldn't engage with it. And I've studied philosophy, not at any great lengths, but you know, I'm not ignorant of it. And this book read so male. Only three female contributors, one in collaboration with a male author.
You can do better. You can make it more engaging, and you can bring in more voices.
But here's the thing, this book... I couldn't engage with it. And I've studied philosophy, not at any great lengths, but you know, I'm not ignorant of it. And this book read so male. Only three female contributors, one in collaboration with a male author.
You can do better. You can make it more engaging, and you can bring in more voices.
moralityofsisyphus's review
1.0
Not my type of philosophical inquiry. Blatantly disregards passages in the novel to prove their point