KISS is the most outrageous and yet the most enduring of rock bands, with an unparalleled, almost religious level of devotion from millions of die-hard fans. In KISS and Philosophy, professional thinkers of diverse outlooks provide much-needed insights into the motivating ideas and metaphysical foundations of the KISS take on life. According to some, the true message of KISS is self-actualisation through the hard work of following your dreams. Others focus on the existential aspect of KISS thinking, drawing upon Camus and Sartre to show that KISS is preoccupied with empowering the individual to achieve self-greatness. By contrast, there is a view of KISS which identifies a ""destroyer"" attitude, leading some listeners to reject KISS outright, while encouraging others to become the most dedicated of followers. Yet another view sees KISS's 'letting loose' as essentially Dionysian. The biography of band members also provides material for reflection, looking at the nature of forgiveness through the lens of KISS's notorious feuds, and determining how to reconcile the apparently conflicting accounts of some famous squabbles. The changing line-up of the band raises questions about the meaning of ""KISS"" and whether KISS could last forever
Edited by:
Courtland Lewis
Imprint: Open Court Publishing Co ,U.S.
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9780812694918
ISBN 10: 0812694910
Series: Popular Culture and Philosophy
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 04 January 2021
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Courtland Lewis I The Starchild 1. “The Message” of KISS R. Alan Siler 2. Paul’s “Lick It Up” Philosophy Courtland Lewis 3. KISStory and Kulture of the Hottest Band in the World Matt Alschbach II The Demon 4. KISS Fans, Kiss the Ship of Theseus Goodbye! Shane J. Ralston 5. The KISS Franchise Peter Finocchiaro 6. Destroyer Unmasked L.A. Recoder III The Space Ace 7. What Does It Mean if the Band Plays Forever? Robert Grant Price 8. The Joyful Relativity of Kondoms and Casey Rentmeester 9. You Wanted the Best, You’ve Got the Right to the Best Mikko M. Puumala 10. Forgive and Make Up? Courtland Lewis IV The Catman 11. The Rashomon Effect in KISS’s Autobiographies Michael Forest and Matthew Mitchell 12. KISS Goes Disco and Boogies on Simmons’s Bad Faith Christopher M. Innes 13. Beauty of The Elder Courtland Lewis 14. KISS and Bodily Pleasure Robert S Vuckovich V The Fox 15. The Definition of Love Robert Grant Price 16. KISS Was Made for Lovin’ You Courtland Lewis 17. The KISS Archetypes Randall E. Auxier 18. KISStory of Band, Albums, Song, Movies, Books, and More Bibliography The Destroyers (Author Bios) Index
Courtland Lewis is an Instructor of Philosophy at Owensboro Community and Technical College and co-editor of Doctor Who and Philosophy and More Doctor Who and Philosophy. He lives in Owensboro, KY.