Bioshock: A Philosophical Review.

With the highly anticipated release of Bioshock Infinite (the third installment of the 2K game series), you will find below a review/analysis of the first game, complete with philosophical 

jargon and pictures and whatnot.

[All Screenshots From Personal Gameplay. Image Rights Owned by Irrational Games]

Released in 2007 by Irrational Games, Bioshock is seen as one of the Highest Rated First Person Shooters of All Time* The Gamer is immersed in the world of Rapture; an underwater city that is drowned in history. With what appears to be a longing for the past, the game design mirrors that of 1950’s/60’s America.

Amidst a plane crash, we are plunged into the depths of a Utopia; a sort of broken Atlantis. It is the end of an Idealistic Society said to have been dominated by “hand-picked” Scientists, Artists and Industrialists; a society which is now on the brink of war. You can alter your own biological structure with so called “Plasmids” (controlled by your own “will to power” – Nietzsche’s “Ubermensch”/Superman) and determine your own ending based on the choices you make throughout the game (Existentialism).

With awards such as Best Game of the Year (British Academy Video Game Awards), Best Original Game (Yahoo! Games Best of 2007) and Best Artistic Design (IGN E3 2007 Awards), Bioshock is a game like no other.

"A Tale Of Two Revolutions" #1

THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT (page 615)

The Renaissance brought about a new respect for architecture, literature and the sciences. Romanticism, however, was of German influence and consisted of a 'revolt' against the current ethical and aesthetic standards brought about by the Italians.

ROUSSEAU (page 623)

"Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains"

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was said to be the 'father' of the Romantic Movement. He was a sinister man who glorified violence (with the contempt of traditional morals) and his 'anarchic tendencies' led to the questioning of the State's authority - Characteristic of 'German Idealism'.

The 'Principle of Nationality' eroded, as Idealists such as Rousseau, sought disruption throughout France. 'Sensibility' took the place of existing values as he longed for Liberty; it was 'absolute'. He believed himself to be superior, like that of a God, therefore, refused to be controlled by the State.

His "Discourse on Inequality", published in 1754, establishes how man is 'naturally good' but is made bad by the State. (Men are conscious of their submission and are "forced to be free"). Anarchy would be seen as 'heroic' in the eyes of Rousseau as it was his philosophy that you "follow feeling rather than reason to be virtuous" - "Emile" (1762)

Much like Plato, he claims reason to be on the side of religious belief. To Rousseau, religion was 'difficult' and 'abstruse'. There is nothing outside our own emotions, he claims, and therefore, anyone who believed was branded 'ignorant'.

"The heart has its reasons, of which reason is ignorant" (page 629)

His concept of the 'General Will' outlined the belief in a Totalitarian State, whereby the individual is branded 'powerless' by the "passive" institution.

CURRENTS OF THOUGHT IN THE 19TH CENTURY (page 652)

'German Idealism' dominanted in France and 'British Empricism' in England, producing various 'men of science', such as Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

With literary influences like William Cobbett, there remained a belief in Utilitarianism - 'Happiness is a pleasure and the absense of pain'. This is reminiscent of Locke's "blank slate", in which our sensory perceptions determine our reactions to certain external objects. We often seek short-term pain for long-term pleasure and therefore, happiness is considered a 'virtue'.

Naturalist Charles Darwin also helped to determine this increase in the sense of human power. He was a liberal who believed in a world of 'free competition' and the growing power of the State - "Theory of Evolution". He introduced 'scientific optimism' into the minds of the people, suggesting nature was biological rather than mechanical.

It was now believed that you could achieve anything using scientific method. The idea of 'natural beauty', characteristic of the Renaissance, vanquished and 'scientific propaganda' ruled.

All quotes sourced from:
Russell, Bertrand "The History Of Western Philosophy" (2009)