The Hobbit and Philosophy

In The Hobbit and Philosophy, readers will be able to understand—with the help of a group of modern scholars and thinkers—the philosophical impact of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings on contemporary society and culture. With the help of figures such as Plato, Nietzsche, Saint Augustine, and even Buddha, the book explores Middle-earth and discovers why possessiveness toward an object (such as a magic ring, for example) can be so destructive. By philosophically analyzing the prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Philosophy aims to illuminate the moral attitudes and ethical questions that permeate the characters of J.R.R. Tolkien's first major fiction success. The Hobbit tells the story of a group of 13 dwarves, a wizard, and a hobbit, who set out to recover the treasure stolen by a dragon and the dwarves' homeland. Hobbits are known for being lazy people with a deep love of food, drink, and comfort. However, throughout the saga, Bilbo Baggins transforms, grows in determination, self-esteem and courage.