Alien and Philosophy

Are androids artificial people or glorified toasters? Is Ellen Ripley a Feminist? Xenomorph vs Human: which species is better? How should we respond to Weyland-Yutani's special brew of Business Ethics? Since its viscerally shocking screen entrance through the chest of Kane (John Hurt), Alien's Xenomorph burst into our public consciousness. Despite nearly four decades passing since the original 1979 instalment, with three movie sequels, a prequel series, countless books, comics, and a spin-off video game franchise, it shows an unearthly resilience to being blown out of our psychological airlock. Alien and Philosophy presents 19 chapters that explore the underlying questions raised by the film series that continues to terrify and fascinate us. Written by acclaimed scholars of philosophy and pop culture, topics include H.R. Giger's aesthetics, the literary influences of H.P. Lovecraft, the ethics of warfare and bio-weaponry, corporate androids and personhood, feminism, dystopian politics, and the economics of the future. Confronting some of humanity's deepest hopes and fears, Alien and Philosophy offers enlightening philosophical insights gleaned from one of the most successful and influential horror/sci-fi franchises of contemporary times.