Lessons of Philosophy Given Wide Attention through Professor’s Scholarship
Professor of Philosophy Joshua Horn hopes to demystify the discipline of philosophy. He wants his students to be cognizant of how often they use philosophy in their daily lives. His newest scholarship, the edited volume “The Last of Us and Philosophy: Look for the Light,” speaks to an ever-growing community, gamers and streaming TV audiences, about concepts and questions that matter to everyone: questions of philosophy.
Although he has authored 28 peer-reviewed articles and presented on his research to date for over 50 domestic and international conferences, his first book compilation is now sharing the discipline more widely than he could have predicted. In the editorial process, Horn was tasked with ensuring the chapters by experts in philosophy were written in an inclusive voice to appeal to a broader audience of readers well beyond the academic community.
The edited volume of 24 essays examines the popular video game turned television series focused on the survivors of a parasitic fungal infection in the U.S. that has destroyed civilization and the ethical dilemmas they must face to endure. The authors, all massive fans of the series, explore the challenges of the apocalyptic world including trust, pessimism, self-deception and morality.
Horn’s writing on the game’s moral choices was first published in a 2021 article. The book compilation, part of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series, was published in the fall of 2024 giving it time to excite fans ahead of the HBO Max release in 2025 of “The Last of Us”, Season 2. The volume was a passion project for Horn over the course of more than two years.
Best of all, Horn said, the authors examine all angles from the storyline, identifying themes and symbolism that he did not immediately glean, even as an avid player of the original video games.
“The book looks almost nothing like I had first envisioned,” said Horn.
Horn joined the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at UW-Stevens Point in 2013 and teaches introductory courses, as well as courses in the history of philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of law and philosophy of religion.
His scholarly contributions are split between research on the thought of 17th and 18th-century philosopher Gottfried Leibniz and philosophical concepts in the realm of pop culture. Colleagues in the UW-Stevent Point Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, including Professor and former department chair Dona Warren have encouraged his scholarly interest in both avenues.
“What Josh is doing with philosophy and pop culture work, he’s opening that door. You can play or watch The Last of Us and if you are interested, he’s made the discipline more accessible,” said Warren. “Those who have grappled with these dilemmas are philosophers. It’s a way he can reach people who maybe never had a philosophy class before and have been captured by contemplating philosophical concepts.”
Professor Warren nominated Horn for the 2025 University Scholar Award in recognition of his work on the well-received book. In particular, for the way it has prompted its audience to think critically about issues relevant to all of us. For example, viewers who will contemplate the role of society versus the individual. Or what it means to be human —are the Infected Cordyceps conscious?
“Another thing I like about his work is that it elevates those media and helps us to see. We are talking about a medium that has the potential to offer meaningful commentary on the world,” said Warren.
Horn said his students have been extremely receptive to the book. So have academic peers. “The Last of Us and Philosophy”was incorporated this year as course reading material for a University of Alabama course led by Wade Noctis, professor and podcaster. He invited Horn onto the podcast as they delved into the “The Last of Us” character traits and repercussions of their actions.
In his nominating letter for Horn’s award, Blackwell Philosophy series editor and Professor of Philosophy William Irwin, commended the quality of analysis Horn has previously published about themes in other games including “The Legend of Zelda”, “Bioshock” and “God of War”. He said it helps to bring philosophy to people who otherwise might not encounter the study.
“He has a gift for clarifying prose and tightening argumentation, bringing out the best in the writers he works with,” said Irwin.
Professor Horn continues to share his writing in spaces where it can be widely shared to deepen conversations. An upcoming piece on Leibniz will be published on the “Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy”, an online research platform accessible to the public, students and scholars. This year he will take the helm of the Society for Philosophy of Religion as the organization’s youngest president in 90 years. He will give a keynote address during its annual meeting. Then, he has scheduled an appearance at Fan Expo Boston where he’ll mix with non-academics to continue to shine the light on the universal value of philosophy and making centuries old questions relevant for current study.
“It’s valuable to show people that philosophy is embedded in their lives. Everyone is trying to understand the world. Like any source material, philosophy can say something about it,” Horn said.
Horn’s book, “The Last of Us and Philosophy: Look for the Light,” is available for purchase on Amazon.