The Philosophy of Literature, by Peter Lamarque.

Abstract

In The Philosophy of Literature Peter Lamarque does not simply deliver an accessible and stimulating introduction to numerous topics, from the ontology of works to the role of authorial intention, from the paradox of fiction to debates over interpretation. He also addresses these topics in the context of a fundamental question: What, if anything, is the distinctive subject matter of the philosophy of literature? Lamarque’s answer is that certain works of poetry, drama, and prose fiction constitute literature, conceived as an art form, in virtue of the type of appreciation they invite and reward. In particular, Lamarque argues that a work of literature an institutional object, tied to a particular context of origin, whose existence as a work (and not merely a text) depends on conventions ‘determining expectations and responses of appropriately competent participants’ (p. 78). Competent participants respond with a ‘heightened awareness’ of the relation between form and content, and expect to find coherence, an interesting subject, and unifying themes inviting ‘reflection on matters of more universal human concern’ (p. 137). Literary appreciation allows for multiple interpretations, including those that depart from what the author intended; but it is not concerned with the truth of the statements, implications or themes in a work, or the knowledge one acquires by reading it. A central thesis is that although we can learn from literature, cognitive value is not a ‘core literary value’ (p. 254).