Homeland and Philosophy ─ For Your Minds Only

In Homeland and Philosophy, 23 philosophers tackle the issues that Showtime's award-winning show Homeland asks us to consider. The drama, which centers on Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody's release from an al-Qaeda prison, and CIA Agent Carrie Mathison's distrust of his intentions, asks questions of identity, what it means to be a terrorist, the conditions and effects of brainwashing, lying for the greater good, and whether or not courage is a virtue.

But these questions are only a few among many that are explored in the obscure, paranoid world of Homeland. Through the lenses of Rawls, Kant, Arendt, Foucault, Heidegger, Sartre, and Kierkegaard, among others, Homeland and Philosophy considers the ethics of drone warfare; whether or not Carrie Mathison's personality changes and psychological disorder make her an interesting character study in the metaphysics of personhood; at what point privacy is only an illusion; and concepts of torture, punishment, and discipline.

Robert Arp is the author and editor of numerous books, book chapters, and articles on philosophy and philosophy and pop culture. He currently works as a data analyst with the U.S. Army. He lives in Overland Park, KS.