Embark on a revealing philosophical journey through the universe of The Witcher
“If I'm to choose between one evil and another, I'd rather not choose at all,” growls the mutant “witcher,” Geralt of Rivia. Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher books lay bare the adventures of monster hunters like Geralt, who seek to avoid humanity's conflicts and live only for the next kill and the coin that comes with it. But Geralt's destiny is complicated by his relationship with a powerful sorceress, Yennefer of Vengerberg. When he connects with a displaced princess, Ciri, Geralt lands right in the middle of the political conflicts of the Continent, which is endangered by Nilfgaard, a domineering southern kingdom that threatens to conquer the world.
Part of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, The Witcher and Philosophy brings on twenty-seven philosophers to test their mettle against werewolves, the bruxa, strigas, vodyanoi, and kikimora; their work addresses the phenomenally popular books, three standalone Witcher video games, and the hit Netflix streaming show. These authors pass on their fascination with all manner of horror and sorcery: the mutations that make Geralt and others witchers, the commonalities between the Continent and post-apocalyptic settings, the intricacies of political power and scandal in the world of The Witcher, and reflections of our own world's changing views on race and gender that might offer hope—or portend a grim future.
Engaging and accessible, The Witcher and Philosophy considers key themes and questions such as:
Who is human, and who is a monster? Can Geralt afford to stay neutral? What kind of politics do sorceresses engage in? How many universes converge on the Continent? If we stare long enough into the abyss, does it stare back into us? Silver or steel?
“Destiny is just the embodiment of the soul's desire to grow,” says Jaskier the bard, proving himself to be a natural philosopher. The tales of The Witcher remind us that our lives are a play written by both choice and destiny. And it is your destiny to read and be inspired by The Witcher and Philosophy.
Introduction Ethics 1. A Friend of Humanity: On Mercenaries, Mutants, and Morals 2. The Witcher’s Dilemmas: Genuine or Apparent? 3. Lesser of Two Evils: Deliberation and the Witcher’s Moral Dilemma 4. Friendship in the Wild: Kant, the Witcher and Curiosity Free will & existentialism 5. Destiny, Fate, and the Law of Surprise: Determinism, Free Will, and The Witcher 6. Compatibilism and the Law of Surprise: Myth, Free Will, Destiny, and Hedgehogs 7. Silver or Steel? Rethinking Rational Choice in an Irrational World 8. Nothing is Ever Black and White: Existentialism in Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Feminism 9. “This is the Version of Myself I Have to Be”: Understanding Yennefer’s Feminism(s) 10. “They Took My Choice, I Want It Back”: Infertility in The Witcher 11. Ciri’s Agency and Autonomy: Princess, Sorceress, and Witcher Girl Race and culture 12. Race and Racism in the World of The Witcher 13. Disadvantage, Demeaning, and Power – Is Geralt of Rivia Being Discriminated Against? 14. “I’m Part Elf, I’m Part Human”: Understanding Racism in The Witcher Magic 15. Magic and the Elder Speech in The Witcher 16. Worlds within Words: Names and Naming in The Witcher 17. Between Two Camps in the Swamps of Velen: Platonism and Naturalism in the Worlds of The Witcher 18. “Witch Hunts Will Never Be About Witches”: Scapegoating and Stereotypes of Persecution Postmodernism 19. The Witcher as Postmodern Fairytale 20. Shocks of Destiny: The Witcher’s Unlawful Surprise 21. Post-Apocalyptic Prognostications in The Witcher Political philosophy 22. King Foltest, John Locke, and Political Sovereignty in Temeria 23. Stolen Mutagens and Frustrated Neutrality: Carl Schmitt and “the Political” in The Witcher 24. Sometimes You Have to Pick Sides: Against Geralt’s Neutrality Monsters 25. Origin and Desires as Monster Makers in The Witcher 26. The Witcher and the Monstrous Feminine 27. The Dialectics of Monstrosity
MATTHEW BRAKE is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Virginia. He is a contributor to the Wonder Woman and Philosophy and Doctor Strange and Philosophy volumes. He is also the series editor of the Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture series from Fortress Academic and the forthcoming Religion and Comics series from McFarland. KEVIN S. DECKER is Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Washington University near Spokane, Washington. He is the editor of Dune and Philosophy and co-editor (with Jason T. Eberl) of Star Wars and Philosophy Strikes Back. He has edited or co-edited eleven other anthologies of popular culture and philosophy. He is the author of Who is Who? The Philosophy of Doctor Who.
