The Last of Us and Philosophy by Charles Joshua Horn (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)

Renowned for brilliant gameplay and world-class narrative, The Last of Us raises enduring philosophical questions. Beautiful, thrilling, and tragic, Ellie's story of survival is as philosophical as it is profound.

In The Last of Us and Philosophy, an international panel of philosophical experts and fans traverses the apocalyptic landscape of the wildly popular video games and the critically acclaimed HBO series. Delving deep into the philosophical themes found throughout The Last of Us franchise, this book engages with timeless questions that focus on what it means to be human.

Drawing insights ranging from Aristotle and Abby to Buddha and Bill, the authors illuminate the roles that trust, community, love, justice, and hope play in The Last of Us. Twenty-four original essays connect the sophisticated narrative of the video games and the HBO series to wider philosophical themes, discussing topics such as utilitarianism versus justice, individualism versus collectivism, and determinism versus free will.

The Last of Us and Philosophy explores moral and philosophical questions such as:

• Did Joel do the right thing when he saved Ellie?
• Are those infected by the Cordyceps conscious?
• Are communities necessary for human survival and flourishing?
• Should Ellie forgive Joel?
• Is Abby's revenge morally justified? Is Ellie's?
• What does nature's response to the end of humankind tell us about ourselves?

Part of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, The Last of Us and Philosophy: Look for the Light is a must-read for fans of The Last of Us, as well as general readers interested in how timeless philosophical ideas are expressed in modern media.

Charles Joshua Horn is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. He specializes in early modern philosophy and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, mostly about Gottfried Leibniz and video games.