Disney and Philosophy - Truth, Trust, and a Little Bit of Pixie Dust

Disney’s wonderful world of television, motion pictures, and theme parks is a magical place, where children and adults can escape, imagine, and dream. It’s also a place for philosophical reflection. Indeed, philosophy itself begins in wonder. This book probes the deeper underlying meaning in the Disney universe, ushering us into a Magic Kingdom rich with philosophical life lessons. Tapping into some of the greatest philosophical minds that ever lived—Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, and Goofy—Disney and Philosophy explores life’s ultimate questions from inside the world Disney created. As a great British philosopher once said, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” In that spirit, this book examines the stories of Mulan, Moana, and Merida to see if they are genuinely free to pursue their dreams and create their identities, or if they’re bound by cultures’ expectations. From hakuna matata to the circle of life, we explore the philosophical terrain of The Lion King to discover the courage to become who we are. Beyond the Pride Lands of the savanna, philosophical magic leads us to address such questions as:  Can turning our emotions Inside Out tell us who we are? Can true love overcome fear in Frozen? Can those “Hidden Mickeys” at Disney theme parks tell us about God? Are Dory and Dopey’s “disabilities” a problem with them or with us? Is a trip to Disneyland the same thing as true happiness? Is Ariel a feminist icon? Can Sleeping Beauty know that she’s not dreaming?