Philosophy of Literature

Applying a philosophical approach to literature is gathering momentum as an increasingly influential field of study. Philosophy of Literature features six newly-commissioned essays that address some of the issues at the vanguard of this thriving and important branch of aesthetics. A team of leading international literary and philosophical scholars present their insightful views on philosophy of literature's central issues in a wide ranging series of readings. Topics addressed include the way literature can be a source of knowledge; the relation of form and content in literature; the importance of formal structure in narrative literature and absolute music; the scope and authority of literary criticism; J. L. Austin’s notorious claim that poetry is a non-serious use of language; and the historical relationship between philosophy and literature, from Plato to the present day. This book represents a lively and thought provoking collection of some of the most intriguing contemporary issues concerning the philosophy of literature.