Call for Abstracts

Stephen Colbert and Philosophy

forthcoming 2009 in Open Court's Popular Culture and Philosophy series

Volume Editor: Aaron A. Schiller, aaschiller@ucsd.edu

In a time of war and rampant political partisanship, Comedy Central’s faux-pundit Stephen Colbert has become an American cultural icon. Characterized by his commitment to “truthiness” over truth, Colbert touts the virtues of “wikiality” (“a reality where, if enough people agree with a notion, it becomes the truth”), has run-ins with the “wordinistas over at Webster’s,” and all the while provides compelling starting points for philosophical discussion.

Possible essay topics and themes include, but are not limited to:

- Is there such a thing as truthiness? Should philosophers study it?

- Can we do without truth if we have truthiness?

- Is there any need for the wordinistas over at Webster’s?

- The Threat Down: Examining the place of fear in politics.

- Do the politics of fear actually make the world a more fearful place? (Existentialism and the Politics of Fear)

- The "Heroes": Real-world activism on behalf of faux-punditry. What is the meaning of the “Colbert Nation”?

- Colbert as "extreme partisan":What is the role of the partisan in politics? Is there a need for even the extreme partisanship of a Stephen Colbert in a political system? 

- “People tell me I’m white and I believe them because I shop at Eddie Bauer.” The meaning of Colbert's "color blindness" and the prospects of a color-blind society.

- Stephen’s search for a new black friend: Why it’s ok to do and say certain things only inasmuch as one is part of a certain group.

- Un-American News: the construction of an American Identity 

- “Indecision 2008: Don’t F%#K This Up, America.” What role does the profane play in the humor of Stephen Colbert?

- Formidable Opponent: Can one debate one’s self?

- Is there a difference between “fake” and “real” punditry? Is faux-news real news?

- What’s so funny about Stephen Colbert, anyway?

- Breaking Character: Why is it sometimes funnier when Colbert breaks character? 

- Is relying on intuitions in philosophy a form of commitment to truthiness over truth?

- Colbert’s critique of the left? Does Colbert lampoon both sides equally?

Contributor Guidelines

All interested parties are invited to submit an abstract for consideration. Please provide:

(1) a 300-500 word abstract of a proposed essay of about 7000 words, and

(2) a CV or resume for each author and co-author

to Aaron A. Schiller at aaschiller@ucsd.edu by

January 7, 2008

Please keep in mind that books in the Popular Culture and Philosophy series are intended for the educated general reader, not the philosophical specialist. Abstracts and contributions should thus focus (a) on engaging such an audience (b) in philosophical discussion about/inspired by/useful for understanding Stephen Colbert's work, relevance, humor, etc.

Other Deadlines

Submission deadline for first drafts of accepted papers is tentatively set for: 

April 21, 2008

Final draft submission is tentatively set for: 

June 23, 2008

For Further Information

For further information about Stephen Colbert and Philosophy, or to inquire about contributing, contact Aaron A. Schiller at aaschiller@ucsd.edu.

For further information about Open Court’s Popular Culture and Philosophy series, or to propose a new volume in the series, contact George A. Reisch at pcpideas@caruspub.com.

Stable URL for this call:

http://www.categorymistake.com/aahp/colbertandphil.html