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Mimesis as make-believe

Name: Mimesis as make-believe
Author: Kendall L. Walton

Kendall L. Walton

07 December 1993

Paperback

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Book Synopsis

Representations-in visual arts and in fiction-play an important part in our lives and culture. Kendall Walton presents here a theory of the nature of representation, which illuminates its many varieties and goes a long way toward explaining its importance. Drawing analogies to children's make believe activities, Walton constructs a theory that addresses a broad range of issues: the distinction between fiction and nonfiction, how depiction differs from description, the notion of points of view in the arts, and what it means for one work to be more "realistic" than another. He explores the relation between appreciation and criticism, the character of emotional reactions to literary and visual representations, and what it means to be caught up emotionally in imaginary events. Walton's theory also provides solutions to the thorny philosophical problems of the existence-or ontological standing-of fictitious beings, and the meaning of statements referring to them. And it leads to striking insights concerning imagination, dreams, nonliteral uses of language, and the status of legends and myths. Throughout Walton applies his theoretical perspective to particular cases; his analysis is illustrated by a rich array of examples drawn from literature, painting, sculpture, theater, and film. Mimesis as Make-Believe is important reading for everyone interested in the workings of representational art.

About The Author

Kendall L. Watson is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan.

Product Details

ISBN: 9780674576032
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harvard University Press, (07 December 1993)
Number of Pages: 450
Weight: 794 grams
Language: English
Dimensions: 234.95 x 155.57 x 27 mm
Categories:: Philosophy