Revising Fiction, Fact, and Faith: A Philosophical Account

This book explores how revisionary practices account for relations between texts and how they are read, offering an overarching philosophy of revision concerning works of fiction, fact, and faith. It introduces a fundamental distinction between the physical and linguistic aspects of texts and demonstrates how two competing theories of reference—descriptivism and referentialism—are constitutive of a single semantic account. It also discusses a complex episode in the history of paleontology and expands its philosophy of revision to religious texts, arguing that faith tends to be more important as evidence for religious texts than for others.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate relationships between texts and their readings, exploring the philosophical implications of revision across various domains. It presents an overarching philosophy of revision that encompasses works of fiction, fact, and faith, unveiling unexpected insights into the philosophy of language, metaphysics of fact and fiction, and the history and philosophy of science and religion.

The authors employ the novels of J.R.R. Tolkien as exemplars to introduce a fundamental distinction between the purely physical and linguistic aspects of texts. They then demonstrate how two competing theories of reference—descriptivism and referentialism—are, in fact, constitutive of a single semantic account necessary to explain all forms of revision. The authors further propose their metaphysical foundations of fiction and fact.

In the subsequent part of the book, the authors bring their philosophy of revision into dialogue with Thomas Kuhn's renowned analysis of factual, specifically scientific, change. They also explore a complex episode in the history of paleontology, showcasing how scientific and popular texts can diverge over time. Finally, the authors extend their philosophy of revision to religious texts, arguing that religious texts are always read as other kinds, faith holds greater importance as evidence for religious texts than for others, and this explains why religious communities tend to exhibit remarkable historical longevity.

Revising Fiction, Fact, and Faith is a groundbreaking work that will appeal to a diverse audience of scholars and advanced students engaged in philosophy of language, metaphysics, philosophy of literature, literary theory and criticism, and history and philosophy of science and religion. Its comprehensive approach and insightful arguments make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the complexities of revision and its philosophical implications.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367508753