Text in the Natural World

Topics in the Evolutionary Theory of Literature

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, French, European
Cover of the book Text in the Natural World by Laurence A. Gregorio, Peter Lang
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Laurence A. Gregorio ISBN: 9781433137693
Publisher: Peter Lang Publication: September 4, 2017
Imprint: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers Language: English
Author: Laurence A. Gregorio
ISBN: 9781433137693
Publisher: Peter Lang
Publication: September 4, 2017
Imprint: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers
Language: English

The study of literature has expanded to include an evolutionary perspective. Its premise is that the literary text and literature as an overarching institution came into existence as a product of the same evolutionary process that gave rise to the human species. In this view, literature is an evolutionary adaptation that functions as any other adaptation does, as a means of enhancing survivability and also promoting benefits for the individual and society. Text in the Natural World is an introduction to the theory and a survey of topics pertinent to the evolutionary view of literature. After a polemical, prefatory chapter and an overview of the pertinent aspects of evolutionary theory itself, the book examines integral building blocks of literature and literary expression as effects of evolutionary development. This includes chapters on moral sense, symbolic thought, literary aesthetics in general, literary ontology, the broad topic of form, function and device in literature, a last theoretical chapter on narrative, and a chapter on literary themes. The concluding chapter builds on the preceding one as an illustration of evolutionary thematic study in practice, in a study of the fauna in the fiction of Maupassant. This text is designed to be of interest to those who read and think about things literary, as well as to those who have interest in the extension of Darwin’s great idea across the horizon of human culture. It tries to bridge the gulf that has separated the humanities from the sciences, and would be a helpful text for courses taught in both literary theory and interdisciplinary approaches to literature and philosophy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The study of literature has expanded to include an evolutionary perspective. Its premise is that the literary text and literature as an overarching institution came into existence as a product of the same evolutionary process that gave rise to the human species. In this view, literature is an evolutionary adaptation that functions as any other adaptation does, as a means of enhancing survivability and also promoting benefits for the individual and society. Text in the Natural World is an introduction to the theory and a survey of topics pertinent to the evolutionary view of literature. After a polemical, prefatory chapter and an overview of the pertinent aspects of evolutionary theory itself, the book examines integral building blocks of literature and literary expression as effects of evolutionary development. This includes chapters on moral sense, symbolic thought, literary aesthetics in general, literary ontology, the broad topic of form, function and device in literature, a last theoretical chapter on narrative, and a chapter on literary themes. The concluding chapter builds on the preceding one as an illustration of evolutionary thematic study in practice, in a study of the fauna in the fiction of Maupassant. This text is designed to be of interest to those who read and think about things literary, as well as to those who have interest in the extension of Darwin’s great idea across the horizon of human culture. It tries to bridge the gulf that has separated the humanities from the sciences, and would be a helpful text for courses taught in both literary theory and interdisciplinary approaches to literature and philosophy.

More books from Peter Lang

Cover of the book Highlights on Reinsurance History by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Implementing Activation Policies by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Die paritaetisch mitbestimmte GmbH by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Parlamentarische Repraesentationen by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Law and Gospel in Martin Luthers Pastoral Teachings as Seen in His Lecture Notes by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Le mélodrame filmique revisité / Revisiting Film Melodrama by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book inklings Jahrbuch fuer Literatur und Aesthetik by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Re-engaging Disconnected Youth by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Ireland: Authority and Crisis by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book La lingua italiana dal Risorgimento a oggi- Das Italienische nach 1861 by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Les zouaves pontificaux en France, en Belgique et au Québec by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Unterlassungsverfuegungen im Immaterialgueterrecht by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book Beitraege zum Islamischen Recht XI by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book «Da habe ich alles, was Serbisch war, verteufelt.» by Laurence A. Gregorio
Cover of the book A Communication Perspective on the Military by Laurence A. Gregorio
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy