Disrupted Intersubjectivity

Abstract

This doctoral dissertation aims to investigate two classes of phenomena creating failures of understanding in social interaction, which I will refer to as ‘paralysis’ and ‘invasion.’ Both paralysis and invasion should be understood as disrupted forms of intersubjectivity, the former being characterized by a lack/deficiency of ways of relating to others, and the latter by an unnecessary surplus. One of my leading hypotheses is that paralysis and invasion are complementary both theoretically and experientially: since paralysis refers to a lack and invasion to a surplus, the two concepts are theoretically complementary; however, since paralytic ways of dealing with alterity often breed invasion during concrete social encounters, the two classes of phenomena are also experientially complementary. By studying the literary representation of these phenomena in a selection of Ian McEwan’s literary works (Homemade, On Chesil Beach, Enduring Love, and Atonement), I hope to shed more light on both the nature and functions of literature and on the structure of human relationships in general. This project can be considered, theoretically and methodologically, as part of the developing field of cognitive literary studies. In contrast to most of the research done in this field until now, though, my thesis not only aims to use cognitive scientific theories in order to clarify literary issues, but also to investigate to what extent can literature itself contribute to the process of understanding the workings of the human mind. By employing what Marco Caracciolo calls a cognitive-thematic approach to literature, i.e. an investigation of the metacognitive issues staged and reflected upon in literary works, I aim to challenge and refine contemporary cognitive and philosophical approaches to intersubjectivity and give directions for further theoretical and empirical research.