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Analytic Aesthetics

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Abstract

Analytic philosophy of literature explores general concepts, such as ‘literature’, ‘fiction’, ‘narrative’, and ‘meaning’, on the one hand, and the practice of literature, on the other hand. Typical for the approach are the application of formal logic, conceptual analysis, and rational argument; the focus on detail and distinctions and the orientation to narrowly demarcated problems; the emphasis on objectivity and a view of philosophical problems as timeless; and a respect for clarity. The chapter introduces the main conceptions of the analytic enterprise in aesthetics and exhibits analytic philosophers’ work on the theory and ontology of literature, fiction, narrative, interpretation, and cognitive, moral, and emotive dimensions of literature.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

    Jukka Mikkonen

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  1. Jukka Mikkonen
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Correspondence to Jukka Mikkonen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Barry Stocker

  2. Durham University, Durham, UK

    Michael Mack

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Mikkonen, J. (2018). Analytic Aesthetics. In: Stocker, B., Mack, M. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Philosophy and Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-54794-1_14

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