The Hunger Games and Philosophy

A philosophical exploration of Suzanne Collins’s New York Times bestselling series, just in time for the release of The Hunger Games movie Katniss Everdeen is “the girl who was on fire,” but she is also the girl who made us think, dream, question authority, and rebel. The post-apocalyptic world of Panem’s twelve districts is a divided society on the brink of war and struggling to survive, while the Capitol lives in the lap of luxury and pure contentment. At every turn in the Hunger Games trilogy, Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and their many allies wrestle with harrowing choices and ethical dilemmas that push them to the brink. Is it okay for Katniss to break the law to ensure her family’s survival? Do ordinary moral rules apply in the Arena? Can the world of The Hunger Games shine a light into the dark corners of our world? Why do we often enjoy watching others suffer? How can we distinguish between what’s Real and Not Real? This book draws on some of history’s most engaging philosophical thinkers to take you deeper into the story and its themes, such as sacrifice, altruism, moral choice, and gender.

Gives you new insights into the Hunger Games series and its key characters, plot lines, and ideas
Examines important themes such as the state of nature, war, celebrity, authenticity, and social class
Applies the perspective of some of world’s greatest minds, such as Charles Darwin, Thomas Hobbes, Friedrich Nietzsche, Plato, and Immanuel Kant to the Hunger Games trilogy
Covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy

Author Biography

George A. Dunn is a lecturer at the University ofIndianapolis and the Ningbo Institute of Technology, ZhejiangUniversity, China. He edited True Blood and Philosophy andcontributed to Twilight and Philosophy, Alice in Wonderlandand Philosophy, and Mad Men and Philosophy. Nicolas Michaud is an instructor of philosophy at theUniversity of North Florida and has contributed to Twilight andPhilosophy, Final Fantasy and Philosophy, 30 Rock andPhilosophy, and Green Lantern and Philosophy. William Irwin is a professor of philosophy at King’sCollege. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre ofbooks as coeditor of the bestselling The Simpsons andPhilosophy and has overseen recent titles, including Houseand Philosophy, Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy, andMad Men and Philosophy.