Breaking Bad and Philosophy: Badder Living through Chemistry (Popular Culture and Philosophy)

__Breaking Bad__, hailed by Stephen King, Chuck Klosterman, and many others as the best of all TV dramas, tells the story of a man whose life changes because of the medical death sentence of an advanced cancer diagnosis. The show depicts his metamorphosis from inoffensive chemistry teacher to feared drug lord and remorseless killer. Driven at first by the desire to save his family from destitution, he risks losing his family altogether because of his new life of crime. In defiance of the tradition that viewers demand a TV character who never changes, __Breaking Bad__ is all about the process of change, with each scene carrying forward the morphing of Walter White into the terrible Heisenberg. Can a person be transformed as the result of a few key life choices? Does everyone have the potential to be a ruthless criminal? How will we respond to the knowledge that we will be dead in six months? Is human life subject to laws as remorseless as chemical equations? When does injustice validate brutal retaliation? Why are drug addicts unsuitable for operating the illegal drug business? How can TV viewers remain loyal to a series where the hero becomes the villain? Does Heisenberg’s Principle of Uncertainty rule our destinies? In __Breaking Bad and Philosophy__, a hand-picked squad of professional thinkers investigate the crimes of Walter White, showing how this story relates to the major themes of philosophy and the major life decisions facing all of us. Breaking Bad, Hailed By Stephen King, Chuck Klosterman, And Many Others As The Best Of All Tv Dramas, Tells The Story Of A Man Whose Life Changes Because Of The Medical Death Sentence Of An Advanced Cancer Diagnosis. The Show Depicts His Metamorphosis From Inoffensive Chemistry Teacher To Feared Drug Lord And Remorseless Killer. Driven At First By The Desire To Save His Family From Destitution, He Risks Losing His Family Altogether Because Of His New Life Of Crime. In Defiance Of The Tradition That Viewers Demand A Tv Character Who Never Changes, Breaking Bad Is All About The Process Of Change, With Each Scene Carrying Forward The Morphing Of Walter White Into The Terrible Heisenberg. Can A Person Be Transformed As The Result Of A Few Key Life Choices? Does Everyone Have The Potential To Be A Ruthless Criminal? How Will We Respond To The Knowledge That We Will Be Dead In Six Months? Is Human Life Subject To Laws As Remorseless As Chemical Equations? When Does Injustice Validate Brutal Retaliation? Why Are Drug Addicts Unsuitable For Operating The Illegal Drug Business? How Can Tv Viewers Remain Loyal To A Series Where The Hero Becomes The Villain? Does Heisenberg's Principle Of Uncertainty Rule Our Destinies? In Breaking Bad And Philosophy, A Hand-picked Squad Of Professional Thinkers Investigate The Crimes Of Walter White, Showing How This Story Relates To The Major Themes Of Philosophy And The Major Life Decisions Facing All Of Us-- Walt's Rap Sheet / David R. Koepsell And Vanessa Gonzalez -- Heisenberg's Uncertain Confession / Darryl J. Murphy -- Was Skyler's Intervention Ethical? Hell, It Shouldn't Even Be Legal! / Dan Miori -- Finding Happiness In A Black Hat / Kimberly Baltzer-jaray -- Hurtling Towards Death / Craig Simpson -- Macbeth On Ice / Ray Bossert -- Walter White's Will To Power / Megan Wright -- Better Than Human / Stephen Glass -- The Riddle Of Godfather Gus / Jeffrey A. Hinzmann -- If Walt's Breaking Bad, Maybe We Are Too / J.c. Donhauser -- I Appreciate The Strategy / Sara Waller -- What's So Bad About Meth? / Patricia Brace And Robert Arp -- It's Arbitrary? / Adam Barkman -- Does Cooking Make Walt A Bad Guy? / Greg Littmann -- Been Through The Desert On A Horse With No Name / Oli Mould -- You're Supposed To Be A Scientist / Lisa Kadonaga -- Breaking Bonds / Denise Du Vernay -- Walter White's American Vice / Jeffrey E. Stephenson -- Meth, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Happiness / Aaron C. Anderson And Justine Lopez. Edited By David R. Koepsell And Robert Arp. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.