Fight Club (Philosophers on Film)

Released in 1999, Fight Club is David Fincher’s popular adaption of Chuck Palahniuk’s cult novel, and one of the most philosophically rich films of recent years. This is the first book to explore the varied philosophical aspects of the film. Beginning with an introduction by the editor that places the film and essays in context, each chapter explores a central theme of Fight Club from a philosophical perspective. Topics discussed include:

• Fight Club, Plato’s cave and Descartes’ cogito
• moral disintegration
• identity, gender and masculinity
• visuals and narration.

Including annotated further reading at the end of each chapter, Fight Club is essential reading for anyone interested in the film, as well as those studying philosophy and film studies.

Thomas E. Wartenberg is Professor of Philosophy at Mount Holyoke College, USA. He is author of the Routledge book Thinking on Screen: Film as Philosophy (2007), Existentialism: A Beginner’s Guide (2008), and Big Ideas for Little Kids: Teaching Philosophy Through Children’s Literature (2009). He is editor (with Cynthia Freeland) of Philosophy and Film (1995), also available from Routledge.