Can Fiction be Philosophy Essay - 3907 Words

This paper examines the relation between philosophy and literature through an analysis of claims made by Martha Nussbaum regarding the contribution novels can make to moral philosophy. Perhaps her most controversial assertion is that some novels are themselves works of moral philosophy. I contrast Nussbaum’s view with that of Iris Murdoch. I discuss three claims which are fundamental to Nussbaum’s position: the relation between writing style and content; philosophy’s inadequacy in preparing agents for moral life because of its reliance on rules; and the usefulness of the moral work engaged in by readers of novels. The evaluation of these claims requires a discussion of the nature of philosophy. I find that Murdoch and Nussbaum agree on the†¦show more content†¦(2) My purpose here is to examine this assertion. In the process I will compare Nussbaums view with that of Iris Murdoch. I have selected for discussion three central claims from Loves Knowledge, Nussbaums essays on philosophy and literature. The first claim pertains to the relation of writing style to content. (3) On this topic Nussbaum suggests that writing style is not neutral; the form of writing influences the content conveyed; certain aspects of life cannot be conveyed adequately in argumentative writing; and literary artists can state...truths about human life which escape philosophical prose. (4) The second claim concerns Nussbaums view that philosophys concentration on rules has obscured the need for perception of particular (possibly unique) features of concrete situations. Nussbaum finds that moral philosophers usual reliance on rules, when addressing questions concerning proper conduct, underrates the significance of the concrete details of moral life. Therefore, philosophy does a poor job of preparing persons for moral life. (5) The third claim is that literature has the potential to engage the reader in a form of moral work which is not summoned by philosophical texts. Nussbaum points out that certain novels engage the reader in the work of thinkingShow MoreRelatedArrow Of God By Chinua Achebe998 Words   |  4 Pagessoldier employed by MNU (IMDb). In both stories, Arrow of God and District 9, there are very blunt patterns of fiction, distinct archetypes, and prominent philosophies used. The stories above are two different types of media, with similar content. Both book and movie shows a tribe being pushed out of their home, in almost the same way. In both stories we see patterns of fiction, which is when a reader is introduced to a character and some event or a challenge occurs. In Arrow of God, EzeuluRead MoreWhat Links Disciplines Of Literature, Philosophy And Mathematics1635 Words   |  7 PagesWhat links the disciplines of literature, philosophy and mathematics? The answer is, quite simply, fiction. 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