The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Philosophy at the Movies - A podcast by Stockdale Center - Shaun Baker, PhD.

What does this groundbreaking 1920 German expressionist film tell us about political movements and environments like that which was prevalent in Post World War I Germany? What commentary does it provide about the rise of charismatic, messianic and utopian movements on the left and right? What aspects of the German body politic do Cesare and Dr. Caligari represent? How does the film portray bureaucratic powers and cynicism about them? How does it portray police forces? How does the film portray the psychosis of the main character, Francis? What does it tell us about delusion, and what lessons can we take away from it with regard to the fact that we necessarily come at our lives from a subjective perspective imposing interpretations on things we experience?