The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: Link Outside the Box

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Luke Cuddy (Southwestern College in Chula Vista, USA) William Irwin (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy

Link Outside the Box

Luke Cuddy (Southwestern College in Chula Vista, USA), William Irwin (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

$35.95

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Miscellaneous
08 October 2025

Fantasy; Philosophy; Computer games: strategy guides; Legend of Zelda

Series: The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series

Unlock the Secrets of Hyrule with the Power of Philosophy

A groundbreaking and critically acclaimed masterpiece, The Legend of Zelda was released in Japan in 1986. That first entry spawned one of the greatest series in gaming history, leading up to Echoes of Wisdom in 2024. Link's quest to vanquish evil, unite the Triforce, and restore peace to Hyrule is at the heart of most Zelda games, but it's not just the story that has captivated fans: countless elements of this beloved series, from innovative combat

in Ocarina of Time, to the unparalleled exploration of Breath of the Wild, are deeply immersive and engaging.

The Zelda series is about more than adventure—it's a world brimming with deep philosophical questions. Spanning fate and free will to ethics and identity, the series invites players to ponder profound ideas while battling monsters and solving puzzles. Zelda and Philosophy takes you on a quest through these thought-provoking themes, offering fresh insights into your favorite games. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the series, this book will make you see Hyrule in a whole new way.

Written in an easy-to-read style, Zelda and Philosophy explores questions such as:

Can Link have free will if he is always destined to defeat Ganon(dorf)? How does the Triforce illustrate the virtues of Confucius and Aristotle? Are Bokoblins people? And, if so, is it wrong to kill them and other monsters in Hyrule? Does Link ever get bored with rescuing Zelda and restoring peace to the land? Why are Zelda games so immersive and fun to play? If the Lens of Truth is used to identify the contents of Treasure Chests, does that count as cheating?

Perfect for gamers, philosophers, and anyone who loves thinking about the deeper meaning of their favorite adventures, Zelda and Philosophy is as immersive as the games themselves—once you start reading, you won't want to stop.

Edited by: Luke Cuddy (Southwestern College in Chula Vista USA)
Series edited by: William Irwin (Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania)
Imprint: Miscellaneous
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Dimensions: Height: 226mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781394291014
ISBN 10: 1394291019
Series: The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 08 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Luke Cuddy is a Professor of Philosophy at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. In addition to occasionally publishing articles on education and politics, he's edited several pop-culture and philosophy books including BioShock and Philosophy and HALO and Philosophy.