Can Sleeping Beauty know that she's not dreaming?

Does turning our emotions "inside out" tell us who we are?

Is Ariel a feminist icon?

Can true love overcome fear in Frozen?

What can Toy Story and Wall-E teach us about being human?

Is hakuna matata really a problem-free philosophy?

Philosophy begins in wonder, and there's no question that Disney's wonderful world of television, motion pictures, and theme parks has enchanted generations of children and adults alike, inviting us to escape the mundane into a world of fantasy, imagination, and infinite possibility. From the light-touched Pride Lands of the African savanna to the cold climes of Arendelle, the Walt Disney Company has dreamt up immersive worlds and iconic characters that have captivated millions, inspiring us to reignite the magic of childhood when our wildest dreams were within reach.

In Disney and Philosophy, Richard B. Davis takes readers on a magic carpet ride through the big questions raised by some of the most popular and enduring stories in the Disney/Pixar universe. Essays from thirty-two deep-thinking Disneyphiles chart a course through the philosophical world of Disney, tapping into the minds of the great sages of the ages—Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, and Goofy—to explore universal questions of freedom, personal identity, morality, family, and friendship. From the evolution of passive and shy princesses into passionate and outspoken leaders like Mulan, Merida, and Moana, to the cultural impact of the Disney corporation and the Imagineers who manufacture magic in the Happiest Place on Earth, Davis draws from a variety of diverse perspectives to find the wisdom within a broad range of Disney stories, characters, and entertainment experiences.

If you've ever asked who you are, what is right, or what your purpose is, Disney and Philosophy will spark your curiosity and imagination with a whole new world of unexpected insight into the Magic Kingdom.

Take a magic carpet ride through Disney’s wonderful world of films and entertainment experiences, and discover the wisdom within its most popular and enduring stories

Philosophy begins in wonder, and there’s no question that Disney’s immersive worlds and iconic characters have enchanted generations of children and adults alike, inviting us to escape the mundane into a world of fantasy, imagination, and infinite possibility. In Disney and Philosophy, essays from thirty-two deep-thinking Disneyphiles chart a course through the philosophical world of Disney, tapping into the minds of the great sages of the ages—Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, and Goofy—to explore universal questions of freedom, personal identity, morality, family, and friendship:

• Can Sleeping Beauty know that she’s not dreaming?
• Does turning our emotions and memories “inside out” tell us who we are?
• What can Toy Story and Wall-E teach us about being human?
• Is hakuna matata really such a problem-free philosophy?

If you’ve ever asked who you are, what is right, or what your purpose is, Disney and Philosophy will spark your curiosity and imagination with a whole new world of unexpected insight into the Magic Kingdom.