Jim Henson and Philosophy : Imagination and the Magic of Mayhem

Jim Henson's creations have inspired generations with characters that are among the world's most recognizable cultural icons. From Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and their Muppet friends to the legendary Sesame Street and Children's Television Workshop, Henson revolutionized children's educational entertainment. Combining live action and puppeteering into fantastical narratives like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, as well as the whimsical Fraggle Rock and The Storyteller, Henson transformed imagination into reality, weaving together powerful philosophical messages on identity, community, diversity, love, death, and friendship. Henson never shied away from exploring deep questions, nor did he underestimate the ability of children (or adults) to grapple with profound philosophical questions. Jim Henson and Philosophy explores the entertaining and educational world of the genius's creations, revealing what it is about Henson's world that has touched us so deeply and improved our lives in such meaningful ways. Contributions by: Lauren Ashwell, Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray, David R. Burns, Samantha Brennan, Amanda Cawston, Brooke Covington, Christopher M. Culp, Ryan Cox, Natalie M. Fletcher, Victoria Hubbell, Dena Hurst, Christopher Ketcham, S. Evan Kreider, Shaun Leonard, Jennifer Marra, Michael J. Muniz, Laurel Ralston, Rhona Trauvitch, and Sheryl Tuttle Ross Jim Henson’s Creations Have Inspired Generations With Characters That Are Among The World’s Most Recognizable Cultural Icons. From Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy And Their Muppet Friends To The Legendary Sesame Street And Children’s Television Workshop, Henson Revolutionized Children’s Educational Entertainment. Combining Live Action And Puppeteering Into Fantastical Narratives Like The Dark Crystal And Labyrinth, As Well As The Whimsical Fraggle Rock And The Storyteller, Henson Transformed Imagination Into Reality, Weaving Together Powerful Philosophical Messages On Identity, Community, Diversity, Love, Death, And Friendship. Henson Never Shied Away From Exploring Deep Questions, Nor Did He Underestimate The Ability Of Children (or Adults) To Grapple With Profound Philosophical Questions. Jim Henson And Philosophy Explores The Entertaining And Educational World Of The Genius’s Creations, Revealing What It Is About Henson’s World That Has Touched Us So Deeply And Improved Our Lives In Such Meaningful Ways--publisher's Description. The Foolish Philosophy Of Jim Henson That All Smart People Should Embrace / Craig Yoe -- Muppets, Monsters, And Misfits : The Social And Philosophical Significance Of Difference / Timothy M. Dale -- Miss Piggy's Feminism : Redefining Human Relationships Through Martial Arts / Samantha Brennan -- Kermit And Leadership : Believing In The Dream / Amanda Cawston -- Go And Find Your Songs : Yoga, Philosophy, And Fraggle Rock / Laurel Ralston -- Overconsumption And Environmentalism In Labyrinth / David R. Burns And Deborah R. Burns -- Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood? : The Importance Of Community On Sesame Street / Joseph J. Foy -- Finding Fallacies Funny : How Sesame Street's Playing With Mistakes In Reasoning Makes Learning Fun / Sheryl Tuttle Ross -- I Saw Memories Of You : Can Dreamfasting Teach Us About Introspection? / Lauren Ashwell -- Breaking Down The Walls : Experience And Mirrormask / Michael J. Muniz --^ Muppets And Mimesis : Plato And Aristotle Take On Jim Henson / S. Evan Kreider -- The Best Seat By The Fire : Jim Henson And The Role Of Storytelling In Culture / Victoria Hubbell -- Jim Henson's Epicurean Compass : Navigating The Labyrinth, Road Tripping To Hollywood, And Finding Our Way To Sesame Street / Brooke Covington -- My (un)fair Lady : Power, Fairness, And Moral Imagination In Labyrinth / Natalie M. Fletcher -- You Couldn't Handle Real Life : The Villains Of Labyrinth And Mirrormask / Jennifer Marra -- Meep Is The Work : Victims, Victimization, And Buddhist Philosophy In The Characters Of Jim Henson / Dena Hurst -- Whatever : A Biograffiti Of Gonzo The Alleged Magnificent / Christopher Ketcham -- Kermit's Rainbow Connection : The Lovers, The Dreamers, Philosophers, And Me / Kimberly Baltzer-jaray -- The Passion, Will, And Freedom Of Kermit, Miss Piggy, And Animal / Shaun Leonard --^ Life's Like A Movie : Performativity And Realness With The Muppets / Christopher M. Culp -- Traveling Matt's Adventures In Outer Space : Fraggle Rock And Post-structuralism / Ryan Cox -- Ontology And Superposition : Where The Muppets Meet And Do Not Meet Schrödinger's Cat / Rhona Trauvitch -- The Metaphysics Of Muppetationality / Lauren Ashwell. Edited By Timothy M. Dale And Joseph J. Foy ; Foreword By Craig Yoe. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Jim Henson's creations have inspired generations with characters that are among the world's most recognizable cultural icons. Henson's legacy endures because he never shied away from exploring deep questions, nor underestimated the ability of children (or adults) to grapple with profound philosophical issues. Anyone who grew up with his stories, or has fallen in love with his characters, will enjoy this book's exploration of the entertaining, educational and profound world of Jim Henson.