Lanier
Anderson, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University
What
is it?
What can we learn from studying philosophy? What can we learn
from reading great (or not-so-great) literature? Some
philosophers and literary theorists believe that philosophy and
literature converge in a number of places. Great literature
is often deeply philosophical, and great philosophy is often great
literature, sometimes in the form of fictional narrative.
Perhaps we can learn many of the same lessons from philosophy and
literature. Can the methods of philosophy and literary
criticism be combined? Are the truths they shed light upon
complementary? John and Ken are joined by fellow Stanford
philosophy professor Lanier Anderson to discuss the intersection of
philosophy and literature.