Haunting us with such unforgettable stories as The Shining, Shawshank Redemption, Salem’s Lot, Carrie, The Green Mile, and Pet Semetary, Stephen King has been an anchor of American horror, science fiction, psychological thrillers, and suspense for over forty years. His characters have brought chills to our spines and challenged our notions of reality while leaving us in awe of the perseverance of the human spirit. As the first book in the new Great Authors and Philosophy series, Stephen King and Philosophy reveals some of the deeper issues raised by King’s work. From retribution, freedom, and moral relativity, to death and insanity, the chapters of this book expose how King’s stories access the questions and fears that nag each of us in the middle of night.



Jacob Held has written extensively on philosophy and popular culture, having edited Dr. Seuss and Philosophy and Roald Dahl and Philosophy, coedited James Bond and Philosophy, and contributed to volumes on the Beatles, South Park, and Watchmen, to name a few. He teaches philosophy at the University of Central Arkansas and lives in Conway, Arkansas.