Can Fiction be Philosophy? Essay -- Literature Papers

This paper construes the relation between ism and belles-lettres through an analysis of claims made by Martha Nussbaum regarding the contribution novels can turn to moral philosophical system. Perhaps her most controversial assertion is that some novels ar themselves works of moral school of thought. I contrast Nussbaums view with that of signal flag Murdoch. I discuss three claims which are fundamental to Nussbaums aspect the relation between writing style and content philosophys inadequacy in preparing agents for moral life because of its reliance on rules and the advantage 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 big businessman of writings to contribute to moral understanding, but disagree on the issuance of what philosophy is. Therefore, they disagree on the question of whether authoritative works of lying are also works of phi losophy. I argue that the task Nussbaum assigns philosophy is too broad. Through the use of critical and reflective methods, philosophy should examine and sort moral claims. Literary, philosophical and religious texts contribute to moral eduction keeping them separate helps us appreciate their distinct contributions, as well as respect their distinct aims and methods. Therefore, I conclude that Nussbaums inclusion of certain novels in philosophy cannot be sustained. In a recent article, Richard Posner examines the notion, modern by scholars in the law and literature movement, that ...immersion in literature ... makes us better citizens or better people. (1) The focus of his discussion is a repair of assertions, including a number made by Martha Nussbaum, concerning the moral influenc... ...h draws the following distinctions literature does many things, philosophy does one thing (has one aim) literature is natural, philosophy is counter-natural literature arouses emotion, philoso phy tries to eliminate emotional appeal literature is indirect, philosophy is direct literature has no problem to solve, philosophy seeks to solve a few technical and abstract problems literature is concerned with aesthetic form, philosophy does not aim at formal perfection. Murdoch says that she sees no general role of philosophy in literature (p. 242).(15) See Frank Palmer, Literature and Moral Understanding (Oxford Oxford University Press, 1992), chapter 8.(16) In considering what is characteristic of philosophy, I was helped by reading Derrida and Wittgenstein, by Newton Garver and Seung-Chong Lee, (Philadelphia synagogue University Press, 1994), chapter 6.