Experiencing Experiences with Literature
This paper defends the idea that literary works can be vehicles of what has been called experiential knowledge; that is, literary works can offer knowledge of what it is like to have a particular kind of experience. After reviewing some of the critiques this epistemological conception of literature...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Helsinki University Press
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Estetika |
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| Online Access: | https://account.estetikajournal.org/index.php/uh-j-eteja/article/view/413 |
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| author | Kalle Puolakka |
| author_facet | Kalle Puolakka |
| author_sort | Kalle Puolakka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper defends the idea that literary works can be vehicles of what has been called experiential knowledge; that is, literary works can offer knowledge of what it is like to have a particular kind of experience. After reviewing some of the critiques this epistemological conception of literature has recently received, I offer a reading of one of its earliest formulations, found in Dorothy Walsh’s book Literature and Knowledge (1969), which I believe is still relevant to contemporary discussions on the topic. By combining some key insights from Walsh’s account with John Dewey’s understanding of experience as a form of undergoing, I argue that literary works can give a sense or a feel of what it is like to experience something, while acknowledging that there are also some important differences between literary and real-world experiences. I illuminate my own understanding of experiential knowledge by analysing the account of the experience of social death in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved (1987). I am especially interested in identifying the stylistic and literary techniques behind the experiential knowledge I believe the novel offers. The paper ends by providing a closer examination of the character of the literary experience underpinning experiential knowledge and by putting forth reasons why experiential knowledge should be considered a serious epistemic notion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c2b51a87d25041afa5bdff850df3e845 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2571-0915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | Helsinki University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Estetika |
| spelling | doaj-art-c2b51a87d25041afa5bdff850df3e8452025-08-20T01:47:38ZengHelsinki University PressEstetika2571-09152024-09-01612110–125110–12510.33134/eeja.413390Experiencing Experiences with LiteratureKalle Puolakka0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3606-7501University of HelsinkiThis paper defends the idea that literary works can be vehicles of what has been called experiential knowledge; that is, literary works can offer knowledge of what it is like to have a particular kind of experience. After reviewing some of the critiques this epistemological conception of literature has recently received, I offer a reading of one of its earliest formulations, found in Dorothy Walsh’s book Literature and Knowledge (1969), which I believe is still relevant to contemporary discussions on the topic. By combining some key insights from Walsh’s account with John Dewey’s understanding of experience as a form of undergoing, I argue that literary works can give a sense or a feel of what it is like to experience something, while acknowledging that there are also some important differences between literary and real-world experiences. I illuminate my own understanding of experiential knowledge by analysing the account of the experience of social death in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved (1987). I am especially interested in identifying the stylistic and literary techniques behind the experiential knowledge I believe the novel offers. The paper ends by providing a closer examination of the character of the literary experience underpinning experiential knowledge and by putting forth reasons why experiential knowledge should be considered a serious epistemic notion.https://account.estetikajournal.org/index.php/uh-j-eteja/article/view/413cognitive valuedorothy walshexperienceexperiential knowledgejohn deweyphilosophy of literaturetoni morrison |
| spellingShingle | Kalle Puolakka Experiencing Experiences with Literature Estetika cognitive value dorothy walsh experience experiential knowledge john dewey philosophy of literature toni morrison |
| title | Experiencing Experiences with Literature |
| title_full | Experiencing Experiences with Literature |
| title_fullStr | Experiencing Experiences with Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiencing Experiences with Literature |
| title_short | Experiencing Experiences with Literature |
| title_sort | experiencing experiences with literature |
| topic | cognitive value dorothy walsh experience experiential knowledge john dewey philosophy of literature toni morrison |
| url | https://account.estetikajournal.org/index.php/uh-j-eteja/article/view/413 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kallepuolakka experiencingexperienceswithliterature |