Can Fiction be Philosophy? Essay -- Literature Papers

This paper examines the notification between philosophy and belles-lettres through an analysis of claims made by Martha Nussbaum regarding the contri merelyion novels can make to moral philosophy. Perhaps her most arguable assertion is that some novels argon themselves works of moral philosophy. I demarcation line Nussbaums view with that of Iris Murdoch. I discuss three claims which are fundamental to Nussbaums position the relation between writing flair and content philosophys inadequacy in preparing agents for moral bearing 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 specify that Murdoch and Nussbaum agree on the ability of lit to contribute to moral understanding, but disagree on the issue of what philosophy is. Therefore, they disagree on the suspense of whether certain works of fiction are also works of philosophy. I argue that t he task Nussbaum assigns philosophy is too broad. Through the use of diminutive and reflective methods, philosophy should examine and sort moral claims. Literary, philosophical and spectral texts contribute to moral eduction keeping them separate helps us appreciate their straightforward contributions, as well as respect their distinct aims and methods. Therefore, I end that Nussbaums inclusion of certain novels in philosophy cannot be sustained. In a recent article, Richard Posner examines the notion, advanced by scholars in the law and literature movement, that ...immersion in literature ... makes us better citizens or better people. (1) The instruction of his discussion is a set of assertions, including a number made by Martha Nussbaum, concerning the moral influenc... ...h draws the following distinctions literature does many liaisons, philosophy does one thing (has one aim) literature is natural, philosophy is counter-natural literature arouses emotion, philosophy tries to eliminate turned on(p) appeal literature is indirect, philosophy is direct literature has no job to solve, philosophy seeks to solve a few technical and abstract problems literature is concerned with aesthetic form, philosophy does not aim at bollock perfection. Murdoch says that she sees no general role of philosophy in literature (p. 242).(15) See Frank Palmer, writings and Moral Understanding (Oxford Oxford University Press, 1992), chapter 8.(16) In considering what is characteristic of philosophy, I was helped by learning Derrida and Wittgenstein, by Newton Garver and Seung-Chong Lee, (Philadelphia Temple University Press, 1994), chapter 6.