Literary Theory Research Articles

Divine command theory and the (supposed) incoherence of self-commanding

Abstract Theological voluntarism is a family of metaethical views that share the claim that deontological statuses of actions are dependent on or identical with some divine feature. Adams's version of this theistic metaethical view is a divine command theory (DCT). According to Adams's DCT, the property being-morally-obligated is identical to the property being-commanded-by-God. Thus, a natural consequence of Adams's DCT is that an agent is morally obligated to do something just in case God commands that agent to do such a thing. From Adams's DCT, it follows that God is morally obligated to act just in case God commands himself to act. Quinn argued that commanding oneself is incoherent and, therefore, that God cannot be morally obligated to act. The claim that commanding oneself is incoherent has seldom been discussed in the divine command theory literature. This article is an attempt to change that. Here, I argue (contra Quinn) that that no constitutive rule (or condition of satisfaction) of self-commands is incoherent, from which it follows that self-commanding is not an incoherent speech act. I conclude that divine command theorists can, without the charge of incoherence, affirm that God can be morally obligated because God can command himself.

Li Zehou’s Ideas on Chinese Modernity Revisited

Li Zehou’s Ideas on Chinese Modernity Revisited

Relational Skills and Corporate Productivity in a Comparative Size Class Perspective

AbstractDrawing on insights from various fields within game theory literature, such as strategic interactions, social dilemmas, gift exchange, and procedural utility, we argue that corporate social responsibility (CSR) and relational skills—whether between firms, employers and workers, among workers themselves, or with stakeholders—are associated with positive effects on productivity. We test this hypothesis using a comparative approach across small, medium, and large Italian firms, leveraging data from the 2019 CSR survey conducted by the Italian Statistical Institute (ISTAT). Our analysis reveals that firm size plays a crucial role in the impact of relational skills on added value per worker, even after controlling for relevant factors. Key components of relational skills identified in our study include corporate policies focusing on workers' well-being, prioritizing teamwork attitudes in recruitment, supporting initiatives within the local productive network, and involving stakeholders in CSR initiatives. Our findings indicate that stakeholder engagement positively impacts all firm sizes, while worker well-being is particularly significant for small and medium firms, local network initiatives for medium and large firms, and teamwork for medium-sized firms. Instrumental variable estimates find evidence of a causal link beyond these correlations. We conclude that firm size exhibits an inverse U-shaped effect on the impact of teamwork skills, reduces the influence of gift exchange mechanisms, and strengthens the effects of investments in the local productive environment on added value per worker.

Contingencies of localization in literary theory

Contingencies of localization in literary theory

Unveiling the role of congruity in service robot design and deployment

Purpose This paper aims to examine the congruency effects of physically embodied robots in service encounters, which addressed a significant research gap concerning the synthesis of robot design elements (e.g., appearance and voice) and their service purposes. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in congruity theory and human-robot interaction literature, this study conducted a pretest and two experimental studies revealing the need to view robot design holistically and recognizing the pivotal role of congruity in shaping consumers’ service robot adoption. The moderating role of service purposes (utilitarian vs hedonic) was also investigated in terms of robot design and consumer reactions. Findings Consumers generally tend to favor robots with congruent designs, particularly for utilitarian service purposes. The serial mediation through perceived congruence and perceived intelligence explains such a favorite tendency. Practical implications This study advances service robot design research by highlighting the critical role of congruity in enhancing consumer engagement. It supports the use of comprehensive, congruent designs for services with utilitarian purposes and recommends adaptable designs for hedonic settings. Originality/value This study addressed the research gap by examining service robot design from a holistic perspective. The research findings highlight the importance of congruency effects in service robot design and deployment and provide valuable insights and guidelines to industry practitioners for optimal investment in service robots.

The shape of chance: what can stones tell us about artistic creativity and literary theory?

AbstractWhat does literature tell us about the concept of chance? And how is chance relevant to literary theory and comparison? Relating chance to theory is counter-intuitive, because the very attempt to theorise seems to aim at reducing the coincidental and advancing systematic interpretations of literature. But writings about stones tell us otherwise. By highlighting stones’ aesthetic qualities and quasi-artistic status, these writings raise questions about the role of chance in the natural processes that form stones, and in the human perception that frame them as aesthetic objects. I read Roger Caillois’s lithic writings alongside the poetics of Chinese scholars’ rocks and poet Lu Ji’s 陸機 (c. 261-303) Rhapsody on Literature (文賦 Wenfu). Their writings raise questions about the intersections between chance, writing, and literary theory: What can stones tell us about our understanding of chance and creativity? Can creativity and criticism flourish by promoting instead of calculating or eliminating chance? If yes, how? I discuss how lapidary writings and practices posit stones as poetic and discursive objects that engage with chance reveries, aesthetic sensations, and effects of human-mineral symbiosis.

The Space of the Stylite

For scholars and students of Late Antiquity, the stylite’s column exerts a special appeal. Scholars have examined literary representations of stylites and sought out visual parallels for the phenomenon of column-standing. This article shows that topographical contexts were central to establishing the potency of the column as a holy object and the trajectory of stylitism in history. I employ the term topography broadly to encompass the physical characteristics of an area, the ways in which humans augmented physical characteristics through the built environment, and specific architectural organizations. I examine three topographical contexts and make three interconnected arguments. By selecting the hill adjacent to Telanissos as the location for his columns, the premier stylite Symeon (d. 459) participated in a long-standing regional tradition of activating the numinous power of high places and stone through cultic activity. The monumental pilgrimage complex built after Symeon’s death made the column a relic and integrated veneration of Symeon into liturgical ritual. The incorporation of stylites into northern Syria’s cenobitic communities circumscribed stylitism as a distinctly monastic vocation. These three contexts illustrate that the significance of the column was located in processes of production and reception. At the same time, stylite columns were not passive objects. They faced the gods of old; they enriched ecclesiastical rituals; they molded the bodies of those who activated them; they proclaimed the ascendancy of monastic institutions. As both products of their topography and agents within it, stylite columns constructed a distinctive Christian landscape in Syria’s limestone massif.

Ethics in AI through the practitioner’s view: a grounded theory literature review

The term ethics is widely used, explored, and debated in the context of developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) based software systems. In recent years, numerous incidents have raised the profile of ethical issues in AI development and led to public concerns about the proliferation of AI technology in our everyday lives. But what do we know about the views and experiences of those who develop these systems – the AI practitioners? We conducted a grounded theory literature review (GTLR) of 38 primary empirical studies that included AI practitioners’ views on ethics in AI and analysed them to derive five categories: practitioner awareness, perception, need, challenge, and approach. These are underpinned by multiple codes and concepts that we explain with evidence from the included studies. We present a taxonomy of ethics in AI from practitioners’ viewpoints to assist AI practitioners in identifying and understanding the different aspects of AI ethics. The taxonomy provides a landscape view of the key aspects that concern AI practitioners when it comes to ethics in AI. We also share an agenda for future research studies and recommendations for practitioners, managers, and organisations to help in their efforts to better consider and implement ethics in AI.

중일(中日) 근대문예론의 형성과 그 이동(異同)에 관한 소고(小考)

This paper attempts to compare the literary theory of Tsubouchi Shoyo(坪內逍遙), which was developed from the 'arts-the arts' examined throughout Wang Guowei's(王國維) literary theory, and Wang Guei's literary theory, which was established as the early modern Japanese literary theory. As Tsubouchi Shoyo's first statement, 'Novels are art(美術)' in 『Shosetsu Shinzui(小說神髓)』 opened the chapter of modern Japanese literary theory, this paper aims to explore Wang Guowei's literary theories in relation to the formation of modern literary theory in China. Therefore, in the case of the formation of Japanese modern art theory, Tsubouchi Shoyo's use of Western literary theory and logic in his own way within the magnetic field of pragmatic thought and literary dance theory that spread throughout Japanese society in the 1880s, while building a literary theory that incorporated the discourse of the Japanese art world at the time, was used as a guide to examine the formation of Chinese modern art theory and Wang Guowei's literary theory treatise. This was further utilized to examine the shifts in the theses that were common to their literary theories. In fact, the formation environment of Sino-Japanese modern literary theory was different in terms of its reception and paragraph situation according to the way the two countries experienced modern East Asia, but there are also similar points. It is also true that Wang Guowei's and Tsubouchi Shoyo's views and arguments on the literary arts developed in very different ways after they published their literary theory works and related papers, depending on their respective life trajectories and the circumstances of their respective countries. Nevertheless, neither Tsubouchi Shoyo nor Wang Guowei built a separate literary theory that completely excluded the dominant discourse in the academic and literary circles of their time. Rather, Wang Guowei, who studied a wide range of disciplines, including mathematics and natural sciences, could be said to have been more attuned to and thought about the axioms of modern China's time and built his literary theories in response to them.

AN ANALYSIS OF FEMINIST CRITICISM AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN THE MULTI-LEVEL AND TRADITIONAL SOCIETY IN THE SELECTED WORK A ROSE FOR EMILY BY WILLIAM FAULKNER

This paper delves into the realm of feminist criticism and explores the portrayal of women in traditional society through a close examination of William Faulkner's renowned short story, "A Rose for Emily." The study aims to shed light on the patriarchal constructs that shaped women's roles and identities during the time the story was set. Drawing upon feminist literary theory, the research analyzes the ways in which Faulkner depicts the female character in "A Rose for Emily." Emily's life becomes a symbol of the oppression and control exerted on women in the patriarchal society depicted in the story. Using textual evidence and critical analysis, the paper explores the themes of oppression, control, and the limited agency granted to women in the traditional Southern society. Furthermore, the research examines the impact of societal norms on the character's choices, relationships, and sense of self. Through a comprehensive examination of the selected work, this research aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on feminist criticism and the portrayal of women in traditional societies. By delving into the complexities of gender dynamics and societal expectations, it seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies and the ways in which literature reflects and perpetuates these structures.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0787/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Le concept de contamination dans les relations trans-univers : Napoléon dans un monde fictionnel

Richard J. Gerrig revisited one of the most persistent myths of literary theory, Coleridge’s “willing suspension of disbelief” to point out that, contrary to what the English poet believed, our natural proclivity is not to disbelieve, but to believe that everything is true, even fiction. He reversed Coleridge’s concept and revealed that the real effort on the part of the reader is the “construction of disbelief” when one reads fiction; we do not need to willingly suspend disbelief since we naturally believe. But then what happens when one reads a novel in which real historical figures such as Napoleon are mentioned, or even used as characters? The best way to answer this question is to adopt similar conclusions as the ones reached by Brian McHale in Postmodernist Fiction regarding authors who project themselves into their fiction, metalepsis of the author in other words: “the supposedly absolute reality of the author becomes just another level of fiction, and the real world retreats to a further remove.” Thus, when authors enter their fiction, they become fictional themselves and reality is dissolved within fiction. I argue in this article that when a real person enters a fictional space, she or he is contaminated by its ontological environment, that is to say fiction.

Europe in Literature

Abstract This article examines the origin of the idea of Europe and its identity in relation to literature. It attempts to show that, before being a cultural, economic or political reality, Europe was a literary concept, whose origins are closely linked to the literary theories of the Romantics, particularly the German Romantics. The links between the idea of Europe and literature also associate Europe with the birth of comparative literature. But at the same time, the notion of World Literature, even if it has a Eurocentric background in Goethe and his successors, calls for the poet to transcend Europe and become a citizen of the world.

“Constructed Women”

Simone de Beauvoir (1908 - 1986), as the pioneer and founder of feminist literary criticism, her feminist thoughts and Literary theory have had a profound impact on the development of women's movement and feminist literary theory around the world. Beauvoir is “one of the most important women of the 20th century.” His book The Second Sex covers the cultural content of philosophy, history, literature, biology, ancient myths and customs, and discusses the actual women’s situation, status and rights in the historical evolution from Primitive society to modern society. In the book, linguistic theories and methods are applied to define and differentiate gender concepts, and a detailed study is conducted on the shaping and influence of daily life, religion, and taboo language on women’s psychology and consciousness. Exploring the relationship between gender and culture is an important dimension that reflects a conscious awareness of language and culture. Beauvoir’s language research has provided important theoretical inspiration for the development of feminism, especially postmodern feminist criticism, and has a transitional significance that connects the past and the future. This article takes The Second Sex as the research text and conducts a feminist analysis of Beauvoir’s linguistic theory from three aspects: The first part elaborates on feminism by analyzing Beauvoir’s application of linguistic methods and research on multiple linguistic issues, criticizing the traditional patriarchal cultural tradition. The second part compares Woolf’s feminist language views and introduces the different focuses of language research between the two. The third part elaborates on the impact of Beauvoir’s language research on feminist criticism and postmodern feminism.

Franco Moretti’s Interdisciplinary Approach and its Influence on Foreign Literature Studies in China

Western literary theorist Franco Moretti’s researches are featured with interdisciplinarity. His approach began with the conceptual model of “world literature”, followed by the methodology of “distant reading”, and ended with the practice of “computational criticism”. This paper aims to explore the dynamic interaction between Darwin’s evolutionary theory and Wallerstein’s world-systems analysis, as well as the interplay between close reading and distant reading, and the dialogue between traditional criticism and computational criticism. With the popularization of the Internet, the revolution of information technology and the wave of globalization, the categorization of disciplines with distinct barriers can no longer meet the complexity of modernization, and the call for interdisciplinary integration is constantly heard. Nevertheless, interdisciplinary research is in urgent need of theoretical framework and practical guidance for reference. This paper seeks to contribute to the interdisciplinary study of foreign literature in China within the purview of “new liberal arts”.

A brief analysis of Guy Ritchie’s postmodernist style in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Black comedy is not a strictly critical concept of literary theory, but with the application of postmodernism in movies, the application of black humor in black comedy subverts the traditional way of humor. As early as the 5th century BC in Greece, comedian Aristophanes created literary works with humorous black color. In the 1960s, the publication of Friedman’s short story collection Black Humor marked the formal birth of black humor literature. (Thompson Bordwell 78) After the popularity of this school for several years, its influence penetrated the film field. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels by Guy Ritchie is a typical representative of contemporary black comedy movies.

Identifying the limitations associated with machine learning techniques in performing accounting tasks

PurposeIn a virtual interconnected digital space, the metaverse encompasses various virtual environments where people can interact, including engaging in business activities. Machine learning (ML) is a strategic technology that enables digital transformation to the metaverse, and it is becoming a more prevalent driver of business performance and reporting on performance. However, ML has limitations, and using the technology in business processes, such as accounting, poses a technology governance failure risk. To address this risk, decision makers and those tasked to govern these technologies must understand where the technology fits into the business process and consider its limitations to enable a governed transition to the metaverse. Using selected accounting processes, this study aims to describe the limitations that ML techniques pose to ensure the quality of financial information.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory literature review method, consisting of five iterative stages, was used to identify the accounting tasks that ML could perform in the respective accounting processes, describe the ML techniques that could be applied to each accounting task and identify the limitations associated with the individual techniques.FindingsThis study finds that limitations such as data availability and training time may impact the quality of the financial information and that ML techniques and their limitations must be clearly understood when developing and implementing technology governance measures.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the growing literature on enterprise information and technology management and governance. In this study, the authors integrated current ML knowledge into an accounting context. As accounting is a pervasive aspect of business, the insights from this study will benefit decision makers and those tasked to govern these technologies to understand how some processes are more likely to be affected by certain limitations and how this may impact the accounting objectives. It will also benefit those users hoping to exploit the advantages of ML in their accounting processes while understanding the specific technology limitations on an accounting task level.

Angela Carter and Recreating Femininity in The Bloody Chamber: A Semiotic Analysis

Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber" stands as a transformative work in feminist literature, challenging entrenched gender norms and reshaping the landscape of contemporary storytelling. This paper delves into Carter's narrative prowess, exploring how her reimagining of traditional myths serves as a potent critique of patriarchal structures. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilizes a comprehensive literature review to analyse Carter's contributions to feminist discourse and the critical reception of her seminal work. Drawing on postmodern literary theories, particularly Roland Barthes's theory of myths, the paper examines Carter's deconstructive approach to storytelling and its implications for feminist literary criticism. Through meticulous analysis of Carter's narrative techniques, thematic preoccupations, and engagement with feminist discourse, this study offers fresh insights into the enduring relevance of "The Bloody Chamber" in contemporary literary studies. Ultimately, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Carter's literary interventions and their broader implications for gender representation and cultural discourse.

The Role of Book Production and Libraries in Shaping Reading Attitudes from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment: The Birth of Recreational Reader

The following paper presents an exploration of the history of books and libraries in conjunction with the development of historical reading practices, focusing on the culturally rich periods spanning from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. The study combines literary theory and learning theories with a historical survey of the social and cultural milieu during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras, which influenced the reader's perception of engagement with books and reading. More specifically, the article delves into: a) the interplay between publishing output, library functions, and reader-text dynamics, b) the impact of mass information dissemination on the reading skills prevalent in each era, using specific historical periods as case studies and c) the role of literary salons and the circulation of journals during the Enlightenment era in shaping the archetype of the recreational reader, as observed in contemporary reading communities, library environments and educational settings.

ICT acceptance, language use and information culture as tools for enhancing information literacy within smallholder maize farmers in Uganda

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between tool adoption and information literacy within smallholder farmers (SHFs). Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was used to gather data for this quantitative study from 225 SHFs. Structural equation modelling was done to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings established that tool adoption dimensions (Information and communication technologies (ICT) acceptance, language use and information culture) positively and significantly influenced information literacy. Information culture had the strongest impact. Research limitations/implications The study enriches the situated learning theory (SLT) literature by introducing tool adoption as a predictor of information literacy in a new context of SHFs. Use of tools as independent variables is a positive deviation from previous studies that have used them as mediating variables. Despite the contributions, the cross-sectional design study undermines the ability to solicit more detailed perspectives from the lived in experience of the respondents. Practical implications Managers should promote usage of context-specific tools like local radio stations and mobile phones, but also use language tailored to farmer contexts when disseminating information. Policymakers should leverage on social and cultural settings when designing information interventions. Social implications The study highlights critical factors that significantly promote information use for improved productivity for SHFs, cumulatively increasing the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Socially, findings may reduce on their poverty levels of farmers. Originality/value This study offers a novel perspective in information literacy domain by using the SLT to delineate contextual tools that are paramount in predicting of information literacy in an under research informal context of SHFs.

CEO’s IT background and continuous green innovation of enterprises: evidence from China

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether chief executive officer’s (CEO) information technology (IT) background can affect enterprises’ continuous green innovation (CGI). Design/methodology/approach This study uses the data of China’s listed enterprises from 2011 to 2019. Findings The statistical results reveal that when a company hires a CEO with an IT background, its CGI can be higher. Firm ownership, firm digitization and industry bias alter the impact of CEO’s IT background on firms’ CGI. This effect is most pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), high-digitalized enterprises and skill-biased industries, while not in SOEs, low-digitalized enterprises and labor-biased industries. Practical implications This study has practical implications, as it measures CGI of enterprises. It also points to the necessity for a CEO’s IT background to enhance CGI. Social implications The findings provide new strategies for incentivizing sustainable development and green innovation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to discuss the association between CEO’s IT background and enterprises’ CGI. The conclusions enrich both upper echelons theory and enterprise green innovation literature.