Make believe knowledge: Epistemology in fiction
by Werkheiser, Ian Russell Wolohan, M.A., CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, DOMINGUEZ HILLS, 2009, 68 pages; 1481383

Abstract:

Our intuition is that knowledge about fiction is possible. For example, we know that Heathcliff was passionate, and was born in the north of England. Such claims to knowledge are made in serious literary discussion as much as in the conversation of audience members. Yet this is clearly not knowledge as we usually think of it, since these propositions are not in any strict sense true.

In this paper, I agree with those who say that knowledge in fiction is actually making-believe, a propositional attitude dictated by the props used to play a given game of make-believe, the moves made by those playing, and imported knowledge of the world. I argue that of the two dominant epistemologies—coherentism and foundationalism—it is coherentism which best handles this “knowledge.” I further argue that while this superiority is not proof for actual knowledge, the ways in which it is superior are suggestive.
 
AdviserDaniel Greenspan
SchoolCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, DOMINGUEZ HILLS
SourceMAI/ 48-04, p. , Mar 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsEpistemology; Literature; Philosophy
Publication Number1481383
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1481383
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.