Fiction and MetaphysicsThis challenging study places fiction squarely at the center of the discussion of metaphysics. Philosophers have traditionally treated fiction as involving a set of narrow problems in logic or the philosophy of language. By contrast Amie Thomasson argues that fiction has far-reaching implications for central problems of metaphysics. The book develops an "artifactual" theory of fiction, whereby fictional characters are abstract artifacts as ordinary as laws or symphonies or works of literature. In taking seriously the work of literary scholars and in citing a wide range of literary examples, this book will interest not only philosophers concerned with metaphysics and the philosophy of language, but also those in literary theory interested in these foundational issues. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Foreword | 3 |
Fictional characters as abstract artifacts | 35 |
Foreword | 73 |
Fiction and language | 93 |
Ontology for a varied world | 146 |
Notes | 154 |
| 166 | |
Other editions - View all
Fiction and Metaphysics Amie L. Thomasson,Professor of Philosophy Amie L Thomasson No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract abstract objects accepting according actual admit allow appear argue artifacts ascribed avoid basic basis causal Chapter claims combined consider constantly dependent copy created cultural described developed directed discourse discussion distinction eliminating entities example existence experience fact false fictional characters fictional objects genuine give Hamlet historically dependent ideal identify identity conditions important independent individual intentional acts intentionality involving issue kind King lack language laws Lear literary literature maintained material means Meinongian mental merely metaphysical natural necessary nonexistent offer ontology ordinary origin Pamela parsimony particular person physical possible practices present principle problems properties question reason reference regarding relation relevant remain requires rigidly seems sense sentences Sherlock Holmes similar simply single sorts spatiotemporal speak statements story suggests theory things thought treat true turn understanding universals variety
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Fiction and Metaphysics Cambridge Studies in Philosophy, ISSN 0950-6306 |
| Author | Amie L. Thomasson |
| Editors | Jonathan Dancy, Ernest Sosa |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 1999 |
| ISBN | 0521640806, 9780521640800 |
| Length | 175 pages |
| Subjects | › Philosophy / Aesthetics Philosophy / Epistemology Philosophy / Metaphysics |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |