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UAB philosophy professor Lindsay Brainard co-edits a collection of 22 essays examining the philosophical questions behind Taylor Swift’s music.
UAB philosophy professor Lindsay Brainard co-edits a collection of 22 essays examining the philosophical questions behind Taylor Swift’s music.Taylor Swift's songwriting has captivated listeners worldwide, but a new book co-edited by a University of Alabama at Birmingham philosophy professor explores the deeper philosophical questions behind her lyrics.
“The Philosophy of Taylor Swift,” released Oct. 7 by Oxford University Press, brings together 22 original essays examining themes of love, morality, forgiveness, identity and the search for meaning throughout Swift’s musical catalog.
Lindsay Brainard, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Philosophy, co-edited the book alongside philosophers Ryan W. Davis and Jessica Flanigan. The collection features contributions from scholars across multiple philosophical disciplines, including ethics, political philosophy, epistemology and the philosophy of religion.
“My co-editors and I are longtime fans of Taylor Swift’s music,” Brainard said. “I actually think that the philosophical nature of her lyrics is one of the reasons her music is popular.”
Brainard says Swift’s songwriting raises questions about morality, self-knowledge, free will and human relationships, making her music a compelling subject for philosophical exploration. Designed for both academic and general audiences, the book demonstrates how popular music can serve as a starting point for meaningful philosophical discussion.
“I believe that philosophy is for everyone and that just about everyone loves philosophical reflection when they find the right way in,” Brainard said. “I hope this book can offer a path to rewarding philosophical thought for many different sorts of readers.”
Available through UAB Libraries or to purchase now.