Twilight and Philosophy

George A. Dunn, a lecturer at the University of Indianapolis and Ningbo Institute of Technology in Zhejiang Province, China, has contributed to several other books in the Wiley-Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series, including Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy, X-Men and Philosophy, and Terminator and Philosophy. His high school experience was remarkably similar to the Cullens’: he kept to himself and tried not to bite anyone.

Eli Fosl is a student at DuPont Manual High School. When Eli’s not thinking philosophical thoughts about vampires and shape-shifting wolves, he likes to hang out with friends, both living and undead. Let’s just say Edward is very lucky Bella didn’t meet Eli first.

Peter S. Fosl is professor of philosophy at Transylvania University. (Is that perfect, or what?) A specialist in the philosophical work of David Hume and skepticism, Fosl coauthored, with Julian Baggini, The Philosopher’s Toolkit (2003) as well as The Ethics Toolkit (2007). Aside from his work as a teacher and scholar at Transylvania, Fosl has been conducting nocturnal experiments on the effects of bourbon upon human blood, which seems to make him immune to vampire venom. For those specially chosen, he leads tours of the university crypt (for real).

Rebecca Housel was a professor of writing, popular culture, film, and philosophy deep in remote western New York as a “normal” human for fifteen years. She is now a freelance writer and editor, where she can work from home in her true form. Rebecca edited X-Men and Philosophy (with J. Jeremy Wisnewski, 2009) and has written articles on poker, superheroes, Iron Man, and Monty Python for the series. When she’s not writing, Rebecca prowls the mountainous regions of New York for the “cold ones.” A true vegetarian, she hopes never to find any.

Jean Kazez teaches philosophy at Southern Methodist University. She is author of The Weight of Things: Philosophy and the Good life (2007) and Animalkind: What We Owe to Animals (forthcoming). She writes a regular column on the arts in The Philosopher’s Magazine and has written about ethics, religion, happiness, and parenthood for several magazines. Jean also enjoys spending time with her vampire relatives, though none have ever met Bella or Edward.

Dennis Knepp teaches philosophy at Big Bend Community College. His essay “Bilbo Baggins: The Cosmopolitan Hobbit” will appear in the forthcoming The Hobbit and Philosophy (2010). He suggests Bella and Edward move to eastern Washington’s Columbia Basin, where the frequent sunny days would make them sparkle like diamonds.

Bonnie Mann is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Oregon. She tries to get to Washington State as often as possible to have tea with Alice and Bella. Sometimes she gets to baby-sit Renesmee, but only if Jacob is there to feed her. Because of her relationship with the Cullens, Bonnie can honestly say that their home is just like it looks in the movies.

Leah McClimans was a philosopher by day, vampire hunter by night until her husband foisted Twilight on her in the hopes of reclaiming some of those evening hours. Now, when the philosophy is finished, she spends her free time campaigning for vegetarian rights and arguing with her husband over whether she can become a vampire.

Jennifer L. McMahon is an associate professor of philosophy and chair of the Department of English and Languages at East Central University. McMahon has expertise in existentialism, aesthetics, and comparative philosophy. She has published extensively in the area of philosophy and popular culture. Her most recent publications include essays in The Philosophy of TV Noir (2007), The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film (2007), and House and Philosophy (2008). While she sees why people are attracted to vampires, she’s really a dog person.

Nicolas Michaud is a roaming philosopher. He stalks the Art Institute of Jacksonville, Florida; Community College Jacksonville; Jacksonville University; and the University of North Florida in order to feast upon innocent students and change them into philosophers. He was inspired to write about Twilight by the love of his life: Jessica Watkins. If it weren’t for her, he never even would have read the books. He’d call her his “Bella,” but Jessica is far more wonderful.

Abigail E. Myers is a freelance writer and teacher in the New York City public schools. She coauthored “U2, Feminism, and the Ethics of Care” with Jennifer McClinton-Temple for U2 and Philosophy. Her Twilight books would disappear for months at a time, “borrowed” by her eighth grade students. Every time Abigail opens her closet, she wishes Alice were there to give her some ideas.

Philip Puszczalowski is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Calgary. His research interests include existentialism, Nietzsche, and ethics. Despite what his sister thinks, a vampire would easily beat a werewolf in a fight.

Marc E. Shaw is an assistant professor of theater arts at Hartwick College. His recent publications include two chapters in anthologies: one about Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter and another about the images of masculinity in Neil LaBute’s plays. Although Marc is not a vampire, his pasty whiteness is as translucent and frightening as Edward’s—and almost as sexy. Almost.

Brendan Shea is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Illinois, where he works on issues in the philosophy of science. He teaches courses in ethics, logic, and the history of philosophy. While grading papers recently, it occurred to him that a policy of regular mind reading would be a more efficient means of measuring student knowledge. He plans to implement this new procedure as soon as possible.

Eric Silverman is assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies at Christopher Newport University. His interests include medieval philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion. His first book, expected to come out next year, is titled The Prudence of Love and argues that possessing the virtue of love advances the lover’s well-being. However, he is convinced that hanging out with werewolves and vampires tends to undermine one’s well-being.

Andrew Terjesen is a visiting assistant professor of philosophy at Rhodes College. He previously has taught at Washington and Lee University, Austin College, and Duke University. Andrew is very interested in the philosophical aspects of empathy and related topics, writing on those issues in contributions to The Office and Philosophy and Heroes and Philosophy. Were he to become a vampire, his “gift” would undoubtedly be some form of super nonchalance.

Jenny Terjesen lives in Memphis, Tennessee. When she’s not reading the Twilight series, Jenny is a bloodsucking HR manager.

J. Jeremy Wisnewski, being a vegan, never craves blood but is drawn to vampires all the same. He coedited Family Guy and Philosophy, The Office and Philosophy, and X-Men and Philosophy (with Rebecca Housel). And there are more in the works (Arrested Development and Philosophy, anyone?). Although he felt guilty about being so taken in by Twilight at first (because he’s a snob), he quickly got over it. Vampires rule!

Sara Worley is associate professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University. She has published primarily in philosophy of mind, although her interests in recent years have turned more toward philosophy of psychiatry. Despite years of trying, Sara has not yet managed to develop a taste for mountain lions. Grizzly bears, however, are another matter.

Naomi Zack is professor of philosophy at the University of Oregon. Her recent books include Inclusive Feminism (2005) and Ethics for Disaster (2009). While living in the Pacific Northwest, Zack has met several people who have had dinner with Bella and Edward.