Overview

Alan H. Goldman presents an original and lucid account of the relationship between philosophy and the novel. In the first part, on philosophy of novels, he defends theories of literary value and interpretation. Literary value, the value of literary works as such, is a species of aesthetic value. Goldman argues that works have aesthetic value when they simultaneously engage all our mental capacities: perceptual, cognitive, imaginative, and emotional. This view contrasts with now prevalent narrower formalist views of literary value. According to it, cognitive engagement with novels includes appreciation of their broad themes and the theses these imply, often moral and hence philosophical theses, which are therefore part of the novels' literary value. Interpretation explains elements of works so as to allow readers maximum appreciation, so as to maximize the literary value of the texts as written. Once more, Goldman's view contrasts with narrower views of literary interpretation, especially those which limit it to uncovering what authors intended. One implication of Goldman's broader view is the possibility of incompatible but equally acceptable interpretations, which he explores through a discussion of rival interpretations of Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. Goldman goes on to test the theory of value by explaining the immense appeal of good mystery novels in its terms. The second part of the book, on philosophy in novels, explores themes relating to moral agency--moral development, motivation, and disintegration--in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, John Irving's The Cider House Rules, and Joseph Conrad's Nostromo. By narrating the course of characters' lives, including their inner lives, over extended periods, these novels allow us to vicariously experience the characters' moral progressions, positive and negative, to learn in a more focused way moral truths, as we do from real life experiences.

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9780198768722

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Reviews

Goldman's style is easy and engaging, and reading this book is a real pleasure. Ole Martin Skilleas, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Goldman's reader-experience-centred approach to assessing literary value is fresh and enlightening. His value-maximizing account of literary interpretation highlights the need for a broader, more dynamic, philosophical account of literary value. Mary Edwards, British Journal of Aesthetics Goldman's friendly wisdom is therefore highly welcome. Thomas Pavel, Common Knowledge Goldman's style is easy and engaging, and reading this book is a real pleasure. Ole Martin Skilleas, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Goldman's reader-experience-centred approach to assessing literary value is fresh and enlightening. His value-maximizing account of literary interpretation highlights the need for a broader, more dynamic, philosophical account of literary value. Mary Edwards, British Journal of Aesthetics

Author Information

Alan H. Goldman is Kenan Professor of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy at the College of William & Mary. He is the author of seven previous books in ethics, epistemology, practical reason, and aesthetics, including Reasons from Within: Desires and Values (OUP, 2009).

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