Consilient cognitive literary studies

Louis J Slimak, Purdue University

Abstract

Literary studies, as they exist currently, is a tripartite entity. The majority of scholarship produced is literary interpretation of specific texts. Second to interpretation is the production of "theory," those theoretical paradigms which help guide specific interpretations. There is also scholarship that concerns itself with the empirical investigation of the relationship between reader and text. Not only must these three areas of literary studies become more closely integrated, but they must also become consilient with contemporary knowledge being produced in the sciences, particularly the psychological and cognitive sciences. Interpretation of contemporary authors like Ian McEwan and Richard Powers becomes enriched by an engagement with current cognitive neuroscience, literary theory, like reader response theory and reception theory, becomes hypothesis driven and responsible to developments in the psychology of memory and discourse processing, and the empirical work already being done in literary studies is brought into contact with other disciplines where it can be understood in a wider context. Lastly, consilient cognitive literary studies have direct implications on pedagogical approaches to literature.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Schneider, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Literature|Cognitive psychology

COinS