Leonard Cohen and Philosophy

Praise for
Leonard Cohen and Philosophy

“
Leonard Cohen and Philosophy?
‘Everybody knows’ there’s a connection: not only through his Judaism cut with classico-medievalist Québécois Catholicism and then further cut with Zen Buddhism, but also via his tutoring in the “School of Hard Knocks” that is the pop-rock balladeer scene, from coffeehouse to sports arena, from album liner-notes to concert reviews. Editor Jason Holt, himself a fine absurdist experimental poet and a professor of philosophy, draws us into examining the kōan of Cohen, so to speak, by postulating the first immediate paradox of the artist: an essential, post-modern poet, respected by ye Literature professors, and a bluesy cantor/singer, whose smoky vocals coax matrons and teens alike to toss their panties on stage. Is Cohen really both pop star and poet, and, if so, might one add the label, ‘philosopher,’ too? Holt assembles twenty scholars to ponder the ideational links between Cohen as writer/songwriter and a cosmopolitan who’s who of philosophers: Adorno, Beauvoir, Camus, Derrida, etc. Reading these superb assessments of Cohen’s (sung) words bids us read and/or hear the bard ever more intensively, to recognize in him the extension of a troubadour tradition, ex the Holy Land and Provence, marrying Judeo-Christian and ‘Pagan’ deathless notions of love, sex, ritual, and romance, blending David and Dante, Peter and Petrarch, the Song of Songs and Sade.”

    
—G
EORGE
E
LLIOTT
C
LARKE
, William Lyon Mackenzie King Professor of Canadian Studies, Harvard University (2013-14) & Poet Laureate of Toronto (2012-15)

“
Cohen famously said that there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. This book takes the brilliant light of Cohen’s words and shines it into Plato’s cave with such strength the prisoners are not only free but see the sun.”

    
—K
IMBERLY
B
ALTZER
-J
ARAY
, author of
Doorway to the World of Essences

“
Leonard Cohen and Philosophy
deals with a wide range of issues, including the metaphysical world created in ‘Suzanne,’ . . . the poetics of relationships , . . . and the phenomenology of time. . . . This volume presents perspectives not to be found elsewhere and offers readers a fuller resonance with Cohen’s work.”

    
—DrHGuy on Heck Of A Guy: The Other Leonard Cohen Site

“Anyone interested in Leonard Cohen—whether a newcomer to his work or a longtime fan—will find much to reflect upon and savor here. Exploring Cohen’s songs, albums, poems, and novels through the prism of philosophical and religious ideas, this volume covers diverse ground—from Hellenistic philosophy to existentialism, from Stoicism to phenomenology, from literary theory to gender studies, from Judeo-Christian concepts such as
katechon
to Buddhist concepts such as nirvana. In the process, certain themes receive special focus, such as romantic love, authenticity, irony, perceptions of time, embodied consciousness, the Holocaust and the banality of evil, and the process of redemption. As these essays make manifestly clear, Cohen’s work brings light to many philosophical and religious concepts, even as those concepts in turn help to illuminate and complement the depth of thought and feeling in Cohen’s rich and varied lyrical, poetical work.”

    
—K
ATHLEEN
L
EAGUE
, author of
Adorno, Radical Negativity, and Cultural Critique

“It is rare for a promising young literary figure to become an influential pop music star, but that is exactly what Leonard Cohen has accomplished. The various works of the Canadian singer-songwriter-poet-novelist frequently bridge such issues as personal identity, skepticism, inter-personal relationships, and inter-cultural spiritual influences. The chapters in this book run the gamut from classical and modern philosophical contexts to Cohen’s varied masculinities and prophetic tone to his unusual singing voice and concepts of beauty, authenticity, irony, love, evil, and transcendence.”

    
—D
URRELL
B
OWMAN
, author of
Experiencing Rush: A Listener’s Companion
and co-editor of
Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United

“Leonard Cohen, a Canadian literary and music icon, has provoked excitement, disgust, bewilderment and uncertainty among his fans and critics alike.
Leonard Cohen and Philosophy
wonderfully captures and examines all of those sentiments and more. It provides a delightful and engrossing philosophical journey through the life and art of Leonard Cohen. Jason Holt and his roster of engaging contributors make you want to travel with them—and you’ll be glad you did.”

    
—S
HAUN
P. Y
OUNG
, editor of
Jeopardy and Philosophy

Popular Culture and Philosophy
^®
  
Series Editor: George A. Reisch

V
OLUME
1
Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing
(2000)

V
OLUME
2
The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer
(2001)

V
OLUME
3
The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real
(2002)

V
OLUME
4
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale
(2003)

V
OLUME
5
The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All
(2003)

V
OLUME
9
Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts
(2004)

V
OLUME
12
Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine
(2005)

V
OLUME
13
Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way
(2005)

V
OLUME
19
Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think!
(2006)

V
OLUME
25
The Beatles and Philosophy: Nothing You Can Think that Can’t Be Thunk
(2006)

V
OLUME
26
South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating
(2007)

V
OLUME
30
Pink Floyd and Philosophy: Careful with that Axiom, Eugene!
(2007)

V
OLUME
33
Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Mission Accomplished or Mission Frakked Up?
(2008)

V
OLUME
35
Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant
(2008)

V
OLUME
36
The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: I Link Therefore I Am
(2008)

V
OLUME
37
The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy: Wicked Wisdom of the West
(2008)

V
OLUME
38
Radiohead and Philosophy: Fitter Happier More Deductive
(2009)

V
OLUME
39
Jimmy Buffett and Philosophy: The Porpoise Driven Life
(2009) Edited by Erin McKenna and Scott L. Pratt

V
OLUME
41
Stephen Colbert and Philosophy: I Am Philosophy (And So Can You!)
(2009) Edited by Aaron Allen Schiller

V
OLUME
42
Supervillains and Philosophy: Sometimes, Evil Is Its Own Reward
(2009) Edited by Ben Dyer

V
OLUME
43
The Golden Compass and Philosophy: God Bites the Dust
(2009) Edited by Richard Greene and Rachel Robison

V
OLUME
44
Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed
(2009) Edited by Scott Calef

V
OLUME
45
World of Warcraft and Philosophy: Wrath of the Philosopher King
(2009) Edited by Luke Cuddy and John Nordlinger

Volume 46
Mr. Monk and Philosophy: The Curious Case of the Defective Detective
(2010) Edited by D.E. Wittkower

Volume 47
Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder
(2010) Edited by Josef Steiff and Tristan D. Tamplin

V
OLUME
48
The Red Sox and Philosophy: Green Monster Meditations
(2010) Edited by Michael Macomber

V
OLUME
49
Zombies, Vampires, and Philosophy
:
New Life for the Undead
(2010) Edited by Richard Greene and K. Silem Mohammad

V
OLUME
50
Facebook and Philosophy: What’s on Your Mind?
(2010) Edited by D.E. Wittkower

V
OLUME
51
Soccer and Philosophy: Beautiful Thoughts on the Beautiful Game
(2010) Edited by Ted Richards

V
OLUME
52
Manga and Philosophy: Fullmetal Metaphysician
(2010) Edited by Josef Steiff and Adam Barkman

V
OLUME
53
Martial Arts and Philosophy: Beating and Nothingness
(2010) Edited by Graham Priest and Damon Young

V
OLUME
54
The Onion and Philosophy: Fake News Story True, Alleges Indignant Area Professor
(2010) Edited by Sharon M. Kaye

V
OLUME
55
Doctor Who and Philosophy: Bigger on the Inside
(2010) Edited by Courtland Lewis and Paula Smithka

V
OLUME
56
Dune and Philosophy: Weirding Way of the Mentat
(2011) Edited by Jeffery Nicholas

V
OLUME
57
Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United
(2011) Edited by Jim Berti and Durrell Bowman

V
OLUME
58
Dexter and Philosophy: Mind over Spatter
(2011) Edited by Richard Greene, George A. Reisch, and Rachel Robison-Greene

V
OLUME
59
Halo and Philosophy: Intellect Evolved
(2011) Edited by Luke Cuddy

V
OLUME
60
SpongeBob SquarePants and Philosophy: Soaking Up Secrets Under the Sea!
(2011) Edited by Joseph J. Foy

V
OLUME
61
Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind
(2011) Edited by Josef Steiff

V
OLUME
62
Inception and Philosophy: Ideas to Die For
(2011) Edited by Thorsten Botz-Bornstein

V
OLUME
63
Philip K. Dick and Philosophy: Do Androids Have Kindred Spirits?
(2011) Edited by D.E. Wittkower

V
OLUME
64
The Rolling Stones and Philosophy: It’s Just a Thought Away
(2012) Edited by Luke Dick and George A. Reisch

V
OLUME
65
Chuck Klosterman and Philosophy: The Real and the Cereal
(2012) Edited by Seth Vannatta

V
OLUME
66
Neil Gaiman and Philosophy: Gods Gone Wild!
(2012) Edited by Tracy L. Bealer, Rachel Luria, and Wayne Yuen

V
OLUME
67
Breaking Bad and Philosophy: Badder Living through Chemistry
(2012) Edited by David R. Koepsell and Robert Arp