Dungeons and Dragons and Philosophy: Read and Gain Advantage on All Wisdom Checks

Does justice exist in the drow city of Menzoberranzan? How does one cope with the death of a player character? Is it ever morally acceptable to cast necromancy and summoning spells? Is Raistlin Majere the same person over time? Do demons and devils have free will? First introduced by war–game enthusiasts Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974 , Dungeons & Dragons developed into a cultural phenomenon that continues to cast a spell on millions of gaming aficionados around the world. Dungeons & Dragons and Philosophy delves into the heroic quests, deadly battles, and medieval courtly intrigue of the legendary role–playing game to probe its rich terrain of philosophically compelling concepts and ideas. From the nature of free will and the metaphysics of personal identity to the morality of crafting fictions and the role of friendship in collaborative storytelling, D&D players and gaming enthusiasts will gain startling insights into the deep philosophical issues that underlie a broad swath of role–playing tactics and strategies. Put the broadswords away and let Dungeons & Dragons and Philosophy transport you across the philosophical divide.

Christopher Robichaud is Lecturer in Ethics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he teaches moral philosophy, political philosophy, and social epistemology. He has contributed to the Wiley Blackwell volumes Batman and Philosophy , Superman and Philosophy , Watchmen and Philosophy , X–Men and Philosophy , Heroes and Philosophy, Spider–Man and Philosophy, Iron Man and Philosophy, Avengers and Philosophy, True Blood and Philosophy, and Game of Thrones and Philosophy . William Irwin (series editor) is Professor of Philosophy at King’s College. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as co–editor of the bestselling The Simpsons and Philosophy and has overseen titles including House and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy , and South Park and Philosophy .