The proliferation effects of fiction : Mimicry of literature as a motivational principle in human behaviour
2013
Abstract
Based on the theory of fictional worlds we attempt to rehabilitate the mimetic conception of literature, though not on the reality‑fiction continuum, which is sharply criticized with complete justification in the theory of fictional worlds, but on the literature‑reality continuum. If we understand mimesis as the imitation of literature (not as the imitation of reality) then we can deduce a theory of fictional worlds from the long difficult ‑to ‑defend standpoint whereby literary works have radical autonomy.