Ken introduces today’s show by asking two questions: What is film as a distinctive art form and what is film as a distinctive medium of philosophizing? As an art form film certainly has many unique qualities, and both John and Ken consider where film stands in relation to other forms of art (such as novels and plays). John notes how it is a bit perplexing to him that we as viewers can get emotionally invested in two-dimensional characters on the big screen. Ken questions today’s guest David Thomson about just what changed in the art world when film showed up. To David, there was a fundamental change, and it has so much to do with the important role of the audience in film. The audience is constantly providing meaning when watching movies, and is kicking the film forward all the time. Film also makes certain thoughts and feelings accessible by externalizing them on the big screen for people to watch. David shares his thoughts on film as realism, as documentation, and the historical significance movies play and the trust placed in film. It is important to Ken to consider the role of the director and editor in shaping and molding actors and films as well, and just how powerful their ability to dictate the information conveyed.

从历史上看，电影扮演着重要的文化角色。大卫讨论了不同的政府如何以不同的方式看待和接受电影，以及幻想如何潜入现实。他谈到了我们文化中渗透的暴力和酷刑，就像我们在电子游戏和国际政策中看到的那样。对大卫来说，电影和电视可以说是影响文化的最有力的艺术形式。电影激发了一些最好的哲学问题，以及对文化和社会的批判性思考。在今天这一集的最后，大卫推荐了一些不可错过的历史上最好的导演和电影。

• Roving Philosophical Report(SEEK TO 00:04:17): Devon Strolovitch takes us on a tour through Woody Allen and his films, and how they come to bear on philosophy. Guest Mary Nichols expresses how Allen can be viewed as a philosopher mocking philosophy. Though he often uses philosophy as a punch line to a joke, the theme of the existence of god and questions about the moral structure of the universe are pervasive in his films.

• Sixty Second Philosopher伊恩·肖尔斯带我们回到了托马斯·爱迪生的电影工业的根源。他讨论了爱迪生如何创造了电影摄影机和观众，以及其他许多技术。随着放映机的出现，电影从最初的一个人放映发展到整个影院的人。爱迪生保护电影制作的专利造就了我们今天所知的成熟电影产业。