ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the debate among philosophers and film theories as to whether films have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the discipline of philosophy. In presenting a defense of the notion of cinematic philosophy, the chapter canvases a number of objections that have been raised against this notion. The chapter rejects a strongly intentionalist position, so that philosophical interpretations of films do not have to demonstrate that the filmmakers were acquainted with a specific work of philosophy, but only the philosophical problmatique raised by a work. The chapter only by canvasing the different philosophical interpretations of films presented by philosophers that one can really see the extent to which films are capable of doing philosophy. It focuses on film's ability to present a philosophical thought experiment, to illustrate a philosophical thesis, and to offer a novel philosophical insight as some exemplary accomplishments of cinematic philosophy.
