ENACTMENT OR EXPLORATION: TWO ROLES FOR PHILOSOPHY IN THE NOVEL OF IDEAS

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: Philosophy and Literature

Volume: 47

Issue: 1

Pages: 108-127

eISSN: 1086-329X

ISSN: 0190-0013

DOI: 10.1353/phl.2023.a899681

Abstract:

I examine the often-denigrated concept of the novel of ideas from its inception and critical decline to its relatively recent revival. Using a variant of the exploitation-exploration dilemma in psychology, I suggest that early usage referred to works that exploit philosophical principles—or better, enact them—by setting philosophical positions in conflict. By contrast, use of the concept for more recent works sees characters and plots exploring philosophical stances. The shift corresponds with the greater attention paid to complexity and ambiguity that are hallmarks of continental philosophy and neopragmatism, and with it greater need to explore philosophical stances through fiction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/36300/

Source: Scopus

Enactment or exploration: Two roles for philosophy in the novel of ideas

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: Philosophy and Literature

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

ISSN: 0190-0013

DOI: 10.1353/phl.2023.a899681

Abstract:

This article examines the often-denigrated concept of the novel of ideas through its inception, its critical decline, and relatively recent revival. Using a variant of the exploitation-exploration dilemma in psychology, it suggests that early usage referred to works that exploit philosophical principles – or better put, enact them – by setting philosophical positions in conflict. By contrast, use of the concept for other, and especially more recent works sees characters and plots as exploring philosophical stances. The shift corresponds with the greater attention paid to complexity and ambiguity that are hallmarks of continental philosophy and neopragmatism, and with it greater need to explore philosophical stances through fiction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/36300/

https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/899681

Source: Manual

Enactment or exploration: Two roles for philosophy in the novel of ideas

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: Philosophy and Literature

ISSN: 0190-0013

Abstract:

This article examines the often-denigrated concept of the novel of ideas through its inception, its critical decline, and relatively recent revival. Using a variant of the exploitation-exploration dilemma in psychology, it suggests that early usage referred to works that exploit philosophical principles – or better put, enact them – by setting philosophical positions in conflict. By contrast, use of the concept for other, and especially more recent works sees characters and plots as exploring philosophical stances. The shift corresponds with the greater attention paid to complexity and ambiguity that are hallmarks of continental philosophy and neopragmatism, and with it greater need to explore philosophical stances through fiction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/36300/

https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/158

Source: BURO EPrints