The summer blockbuster “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” now playing in theatres, is the latest in a series rich with philosophical themes analyzed in the book “Planet of the Apes and Philosophy: Great Apes Think Alike,” edited by The University of Akron’s John Huss, associate professor of philosophy.
The book comprises philosophers’ essays about the film series’ treatment of various philosophical topics. These include the future of our planet, our ethical obligations to other species, animal intelligence and consciousness, the status of acting in an era of digitized characters and the paradoxes of time travel.
This recent film focuses on themes of trust and group identity, Huss says. He explains that the chimpanzee Caesar, who was raised in a human home, has conflicting loyalties to both humans and the chimp test subjects who are now waging war against their human captors.
'Humanness' and 'apeness'
“Ultimately,” Huss says (careful to avoid spoilers), “Caesar’s judgment is that trust is something that is earned on a case-by-case basis, and does not coincide with biologically defined group membership. He comes to trust certain humans and distrust certain apes, going so far in a crucial scene as to say that one of them, on the basis of his behavior, is ‘not an ape’ at all.”
Definitions of group and species identity — in this case, what constitutes “humanness” and “apeness,” and our moral responsibilities to each category — are among the many problems with which philosophers grapple, Huss says.
“Combining pop culture and philosophy is a good way to initiate dialogue about the “big questions, like, ‘Who are we, and where are we headed?’” adds Huss, who contributed to and edited previous books in the “Popular Culture and Philosophy” series, including entries on Monty Python (2006), Johnny Cash (2008) and the Rolling Stones (2011).
“Planet of the Apes and Philosophy: Great Apes Think Alike,” available on Amazon.com and in bookstores, has received special praise from Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silva, screenwriters of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), who say, “This book is a must, not only for ‘Planet of the Apes’ fans, but for anyone interested in what it means to be a primate. Fascinating and thought-provoking. A great read!”
Related:
Story by Nicholas Nussen
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.