Hannibal Lecter and Philosophy: The Heart of the Matter (Popular Culture and Philosophy Book 96)

Sixteen philosophers come at Hannibal the way he comes at his victims-from unexpected angles and with plenty of surprises thrown in. Hannibal is a revolting monster, and yet a monster with whom we identify because of his intelligence, artistry, and personal magnetism. The chapters in this book pose many questions-and offer intriguing answers-about the enigma of Hannibal Lecter. What does the the relationship between Hannibal and those who know him-particularly FBI investigator Will Graham-tell us about the nature of friendship and Hannibal's capacity for friendship' Does Hannibal confer benefits on society by eliminating people who don't live up to his high aesthetic standards' Can upsetting experiences in early childhood turn you into a serial killer' Why are we enthralled by someone who exercises god-like control over situations and people' Does it make any difference morally that a killer eats his victims' Can a murder be a work of art' Several chapters look at the mind of this accomplished killer, psychiatrist, and gourmet cook. Is he a sociopath or a psychopath, or are these the same: Is he lacking in empathy: Apparently not, since he has a quick understanding of what other people think and feel. Maybe what he lacks is a conscience. Hannibal Lecter, The Subject Of Best-selling Novels, Movies, And The Acclaimed Tv Series Hannibal, Is One Of Pop Culture's Most Compelling Characters. In Hannibal Lecter And Philosophy, 16 Philosophers Come At Hannibal The Way He Comes At His Victims -- From Unexpected Angles And With Plenty Of Surprises. What Does The Relationship Between Hannibal And Those Who Know Him -- Particularly Fbi Investigator Will Graham -- Tell Us About The Nature Of Friendship? Does Hannibal Confer Benefits On Society By Eliminating People Who Don't Live Up To His High Aesthetic Standards? Can Upsetting Experiences In Early Childhood Turn You Into A Serial Killer? Why Are We Enthralled By Someone Who Exercises God-like Control Over Situations And People? Does It Make Any Difference Morally That A Killer Eats His Victims? Can A Murder Be A Work Of Art? Several Chapters Look At The Mind Of This Proud And Accomplished Killer, Psychiatrist, And Gourmet Cook. Is He A Sociopath Or A Psychopath, Or Are These The Same? Is He Lacking In Empathy? Does His Moral Blindness Give Him Compensating Abilities, The Way Literally Blind People Gain Heightened Senses? Does It Harm Us That We Are Drawn Into Hannibal's World By Identifying With Him? Le Menu -- Aperitif: Hello, Dr. Lecter -- I. Having an Old Friend for Dinner -- 1. Cosmopolitan Cannibal -- 2. I, Cannibal -- 3. What's So Bad about Eating People? -- II. What Does He Do, This Man You Seek? -- 4. Acts of God -- 5. Office Hours Are for Patients -- 6. The Psychiatrist as Sociopathic God -- III. They Say He's a Psychopath -- 7. Psychopaths, Outlaws, and Us -- 8. Consuming Homicidal Art -- 9. Not Knowing Serial Killers with Hannibal Lecktor -- IV. I Gave You a Rare Gift, but You Didn't Want It -- 10. The Light from Friendship -- 11. A Rare Gift 12. A Little Empathy for Hannibal Is a Dangerous Thing -- V. It's Beautiful in Its Own Way, Giving Voice to the Unmentionable -- 13. An Aesthete par Excellence -- 14. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Dinner Party -- 15. The Art of Killing -- VI. The Beauty and Art and Horror of Everything This World Has to Offer -- 16. Empathy for the Devil -- 17. The Beguiling Horror of Hannibal Lecter -- 18. Doctor, Heal Thyself -- Ingredients -- The Hannibal Lecter Canon -- Works about Hannibal Lecter -- Other Resources -- The Psychopaths -- Index