Lost and Philosophy: The Island Has Its Reasons

I couldn't help but want to respond to all the low-rated side reviews I saw for this book with titles such as "Not for the average LOST fan" or "For Philosophy Majors only." Yes it IS for the average LOST fan, and NO it ISN'T for philosophy majors only. One guy said even the most fervent LOST fan wouldn't be able to follow the ideas of this book. All I have to say is YOU CAN DO it! It DOES take some thought and it isn't something I would hand to my elementary school children, but are you smarter than a fifth grader? Have you HONESTLY been watching LOST since season one and NOT thought about the themes of the show after you've turned off the TV? Have you honestly not pondered what you would do if you were Michael? Have you honestly not noticed how sometimes Locke seems to be the castaway's tribal medicine man, as much as he talks about destiny and what is SUPPOSED to happen (and then that smokehouse episode where he lost his voice and rescued Eko from the polar bear) and then followed that thought with "Jack is a doctor, the real medicine man. Hmmmm - no wonder they don't really get along." REALLY? Well, if you have, and you like to read, then I really think you would like this book. Chances are pretty good that all the essays are something you've thought about after watching the show anyway. But if you are still unsure, go to EW.com, Entertainment Weekly's web site, and go to their LOST page. Click "Doc Jensen's Analysis" tab and read (or search for) Season Three's "I'm Going to Hell for this" column and if that was too much for you to comprehend (or interest you), then this book is NOT for you, and that is a shame because this book could really enhance the show's viewing for its "fervent" fans. Fervent fans being those who have seen every episode. And really, are there any who haven't?

This book was given to me as a gift and although I have never watched one episode of 'Lost', I loved this book! Each of the 22 essays revealed questions and concerns that people face everyday. Even though the book does focus on the television show and its characters, it is also relevant to you, the reader. I found this book to be not only full of deep and interesting questions, but also fun and easy to understand. I would definately recommend this book to any 'Lost' fans out there as well as to anyone who has ever felt a little lost themselves.

This is a good read. The book is a collection of twenty-one essays. Some of them are very good, some of them are good. But all of them are challenging and exciting. I have my personal favorites: "Should We Condemn Michael for Saving Walt?", "The Island as a Test of Free-Will", "Lost's State of Nature", "Lost Theories and Coincidence"... But I suppose every Lost viewer will find several papers to like in this collection. You do not need an academic training of any sort to enjoy this reading. But it true that if you enjoy reading argumentative texts, this habit will come handy and will be rewarded. If you're a Lost fan, this book will give you a good excuse to watch again some old episodes (while you're awaiting the new season...) and the topics discussed here will enhance this viewing. If you're more of a philosophical mind, you will find very good ways to expose, in very clear terms, basic philosophical questions. It is one of the best books in the series "Philosophy and Popculture".

If you've ever suspected that LOST had something to do w/ philosophy but never knew quite how to put it into words, this book is for you. This book has different essays on many of the various themes of the TV show: good vs. evil; fate vs. free will; faith vs. reason; etc. It takes the viewer all the way through Season 3, so if you haven't seen the whole season's worth of episodes, prepare yourself for some spoilers. But, if you're looking for a discussion on Locke's and Jack's differing approaches to how they deal w/ their fathers (just one example of an essay), check out this book. I'm currently using some of the articles in here in a philosophy class and using select episodes to illustrate the Big Questions that we're all trying to answer.