More than any other recent philosophical movement, the existentialists communicated their ideas through plays, novels and short stories. Peter Rickman asks: why did existentialism resort to literary expression?
https://philosophynow.org/issues/32/Exi ... Literature
Existentialism & Literature
Re: Existentialism & Literature
A most interesting article!
I think that one of the reasons why philosophers resort to literature as opposed to essay form is that the ideas are still in the formation stage and by using literature and specific examples, this is a way of exploring the issues. The more rigorous essay form can come later.
Also, perhaps, some of the ideas (of say existentialism) may not be easily palatable to the general philosophical community. And so they may be presented in a more palatable literary format than in the more direct in-your-face essay.
I think that one of the reasons why philosophers resort to literature as opposed to essay form is that the ideas are still in the formation stage and by using literature and specific examples, this is a way of exploring the issues. The more rigorous essay form can come later.
Also, perhaps, some of the ideas (of say existentialism) may not be easily palatable to the general philosophical community. And so they may be presented in a more palatable literary format than in the more direct in-your-face essay.
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Dalek Prime
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Re: Existentialism & Literature
Simply because fiction is more palatable when confronting big issues, and people don't feel as if they are being proselytized when reading a story. It's a safe mode of communicating uncomfortable ideas, both for the author, and for the reader, who may brush it aside as 'art'.
Re: Existentialism & Literature
I think that it can be easier for readers to relate to ideas in the form of a story rather than a book such as a textbook.