The Philosophy of Autobiography

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Autobiography by , University of Chicago Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780226268088
Publisher: University of Chicago Press Publication: October 26, 2015
Imprint: University of Chicago Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780226268088
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Publication: October 26, 2015
Imprint: University of Chicago Press
Language: English

We are living through a boom in autobiographical writing. Every half-famous celebrity, every politician, every sports hero—even the non-famous, nowadays, pour out pages and pages, Facebook post after Facebook post, about themselves. Literary theorists have noticed, as the genres of “creative nonfiction” and “life writing” have found their purchase in the academy. And of course psychologists have long been interested in self-disclosure. But where have the philosophers been? With this volume, Christopher Cowley brings them into the conversation.
           
Cowley and his contributors show that while philosophers have seemed uninterested in autobiography, they have actually long been preoccupied with many of its conceptual elements, issues such as the nature of the self, the problems of interpretation and understanding, the paradoxes of self-deception, and the meaning and narrative structure of human life. But rarely have philosophers brought these together into an overarching question about what it means to tell one’s life story or understand another’s. Tackling these questions, the contributors explore the relationship between autobiography and literature; between story-telling, knowledge, and agency; and between the past and the present, along the way engaging such issues as autobiographical ethics and the duty of writing. The result bridges long-standing debates and illuminates fascinating new philosophical and literary issues.  

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

We are living through a boom in autobiographical writing. Every half-famous celebrity, every politician, every sports hero—even the non-famous, nowadays, pour out pages and pages, Facebook post after Facebook post, about themselves. Literary theorists have noticed, as the genres of “creative nonfiction” and “life writing” have found their purchase in the academy. And of course psychologists have long been interested in self-disclosure. But where have the philosophers been? With this volume, Christopher Cowley brings them into the conversation.
           
Cowley and his contributors show that while philosophers have seemed uninterested in autobiography, they have actually long been preoccupied with many of its conceptual elements, issues such as the nature of the self, the problems of interpretation and understanding, the paradoxes of self-deception, and the meaning and narrative structure of human life. But rarely have philosophers brought these together into an overarching question about what it means to tell one’s life story or understand another’s. Tackling these questions, the contributors explore the relationship between autobiography and literature; between story-telling, knowledge, and agency; and between the past and the present, along the way engaging such issues as autobiographical ethics and the duty of writing. The result bridges long-standing debates and illuminates fascinating new philosophical and literary issues.  

More books from University of Chicago Press

Cover of the book Unlikely Designs by
Cover of the book Vaudeville Melodies by
Cover of the book Gendered Paradoxes by
Cover of the book Life Pig by
Cover of the book The Trials of Mrs. K. by
Cover of the book This Land Is Your Land by
Cover of the book Writing Abroad by
Cover of the book Insights in the Economics of Aging by
Cover of the book Judicial Reputation by
Cover of the book The Argument and the Action of Plato's Laws by
Cover of the book Planning Matter by
Cover of the book Object Lessons by
Cover of the book Sexual Fields by
Cover of the book Unmasking the State by
Cover of the book The Supreme Court Review, 2017 by
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