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What sort of thing is Post-Punk? Is it merely a musical genre, an artistic movement, or something else altogether? What is the proper role of emotion in the intellectual life? Is any attempt to be cool an inherently losing battle; should I embrace my eccentricities? Does a counterculture need to care about change, or can it simply focus on its art? Are nihilism and love compatible? Is the best way to deal with a bleak worldview simply to embrace it through art? How much should we care (if at all) about the moral failings of the artists whose work we love so much? What exactly is authenticity, and how important is it?
As a result of so much thoughtful artistry and music-making, the editors of this book were fortunate enough to bring together the talented authors whose work comprises it as they raise, clarify, and even attempt to answer some of these questions. Thankfully, their creativity and innovation are worthy of the Post-Punk creatives about which they’ve written. And, their varied and eclectic perspectives are akin to the variety of influences that led to and help make Post-Punk such a unique and beloved art form.
So, that’s how we got here; through and past the downward spiral of Punk’s initial wave, alternative rock music came out stronger and even more diverse and compelling with the advent of Post-Punk, and we are now in a position to reflect deeply on the movement as a whole. Perhaps if we think carefully enough about it all, we might even be able to discover where we go from here.” (From the editors’ introduction, “Well, How Did We Get Here?”)
About the author
JOSHUA HETER is a contributing editor and author of philosophical works. Other writing credits include Westworld & Philosophy: Mind Equals Blown, and The Man in High Castle & Philosophy: Subversive Reports from another Reality, both available from Open Court Publishing. Joshua is currently an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO.
RICHARD GREENE is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Richards Richards Institute for Ethics at Weber State University. He is the past Director of the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. He is the author of Spoiler Alert: It’s a Book About the Philosophy of Spoilers, and has produced twenty or so edited books on pop culture and philosophy. He also co-hosts the popular podcast I Think, Therefore I Fan.
Summary
Post-Punk and
Philosophy
is a collection of twenty chapters by philosophers who are also post-punk fans,
discussing many different aspects of the Post-Punk phenomenon.
When
does simplicity become too simple? Was punk a white proletarian movement? Are
the best post-punk bands really pre-punk? Does technological innovation
guarantee musical or artistic innovation?
Does rock have a future?
Post-Punk
and Philosophy
is a worthy follow-up to Punk Rock and Philosophy (2022), also edited by
Heter and Greene, hailed as “a
really fascinating book reflecting diverse points of view: thought-provoking,
intelligent, and controversial” (John Holmstrom, founding
Editor-in-Chief of PUNK magazine).
