Date of Award
8-27-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Philosophy (MPHIL)
Discipline
Arts
Department
Philosophy
First Advisor
Prof. DE CLERCQ Rafael
Second Advisor
Prof. SAUCHELLI Andrea
Abstract
This thesis focuses on aesthetic cognitivism, especially the cognitive value of fiction. I mainly discuss two topics. One is whether we can learn from art, and the other is what the learning conditions are under different circumstances. I focus on acquiring propositional knowledge from fiction. My goal is to establish that the cognitive value of fiction is to a certain extent unsafe, although there might be strategies we can take to reduce such unsafeness. Yet, we should not blindly hold an optimistic attitude towards the cognitive value of fiction until more empirical evidence gives us reasons to. I distinguish between two main methods of acquiring propositional knowledge from fiction, inference and testimony. I argue that inference while being a common means of learning from fiction, is not a reliable method to acquire new knowledge after all. In comparison, through testimony, readers who meet the learning condition can have safer pathways to knowledge. The conclusion I shall come to is that although neither acquiring propositional knowledge from inference nor testimony is a safe learning method on its own, when certain epistemic conditions are met, whose presence is either realized or unrealized by the audience, such learning would still be possible, and for this reason, we should be especially vigilant when we approach fiction as a cognitive source.
Language
English
Copyright
The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited.
Recommended Citation
Shen, N. (2024). Aesthetic cognitivism: Acquiring propositional knowledge from fiction (Master's thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from https://commons.ln.edu.hk/otd/223/