Ok, so while the new book The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy may not be as serious as young Nietzsche once was, it does actually pose some thought-provoking questions about one of the most beloved videogame series of all time. From the Amazon.com description:
With both young and adult gamers as loyal fans, The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved video game series ever created. The contributors to this volume consider the following questions and more: What is the nature of the gamer’s connection to Link? Does Link have a will, or do gamers project their wills onto him? How does the gamer experience the game? Do the rules of logic apply in the game world? How is space created and distributed in Hyrule (the fictional land in which the game takes place)? How does time function? Is Zelda art? Can Hyrule be seen as an ideal society? Can the game be enjoyable without winning? The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy not only appeals to Zelda fans and philosophers but also puts video games on the philosophical map as a serious area of study.
Neat. I’m sure this will be relevant to the interests of some of you, and it makes a hell of a coffee table book besides. You can snag your own copy at Amazon for $12.89, which is less than I spend on a single meal, and perhaps prep yourself or some brain-bending discussion about the deeper meaning of the Triforce next time you see your friends. (Hint: If you think it symbolizes a vagina, you’ve been reading too much Freud.)
[Thanks, Adam]
