Severance and Philosophy

Examine the biggest questions found on the Severed Floor at Lumon Industries The critically acclaimed science-fiction drama Severance follows employees at Lumon Industries who volunteer to have a device implanted in their brains that “severs” their consciousness between their personal lives (“Outies”) and their work lives (“Innies”). As the show progresses, the “mysterious and important” work of the severed employees gives way to a seemingly endless maze of brightly lit corridors, as the characters—and audience—try to discern Lumon’s overall plan. This volume explores various questions raised by the severance procedure itself, the workplace culture Lumon has created for its severed workers, and how both the severed and unsevered discover the moral meaning of their lives. For instance, does severance actually create two new persons? Or is it one person with a split consciousness? How does work contribute (or not) to one’s flourishing or happiness? Can an Innie develop moral virtues or vices distinct from their Outie? To what extent does art, work, and religion contribute to one’s self-identity? You’ll also explore questions like: What would it be like to turn yourself off so that you never have to experience work again?Are you truly in love with someone if you can’t remember them half the time?Can your employer shape you into a virtuous person?Can we ever free ourselves from pain and suffering?Are waffle parties the answer to the world’s most difficult questions?Severance challenges viewers to consider the value of a fully conscious, fully integrated life, even when it’s emotionally painful. For over two millennia philosophers have launched similar challenges in order to help us all “sally forth” and “be every merry” as we strive to be “the we we are”.