The Hobbit and Philosophy

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is one of the best-loved myths of all time, and Middle Earth provides the setting for a wealth of philosophical conundrums. Discovering their inner Took, leading philosophers provide spellbinding observations into this magical tale, debating: are adventures potentially life-changing events or simply nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things? Should friends be dutiful to one another? Is it right to show mercy even to those who deserve to die? From Elrond's Last Homely House, to Gollum's slimy island of rock, the book covers: New insights into Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Gollum, and Thorin and their exploits, from the Shire to the Lonely Mountain Key questions, including: was the Arkenstone really Bilbo's to give? How should Smaug's treasure have been distributed? Did Thorin leave his beautiful golden harp at Bag-End when he headed out into the Wild? (If so, how much could we get for that on eBay?) The wisdom of some of the world's deepest thinkers, from Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle to Immanuel Kant, William Blake, and Thomas Nagel Pondering big hairy feet and riddles and rings, this is a must read for longtime Tolkien fans as well as those discovering Bilbo Baggins and his adventures there and back again for the first time.