Fiction and Fictionalism

By R. M. Sainsbury

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• ISBN: 978-0-415-77435-2
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 13th August 2009
• Pages: 264

About the Book

Are fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes real? What can fiction tell us about the nature of truth and reality? In this excellent introduction to the problem of fictionalism R. M. Sainsbury covers the following key topics:

• what is fiction?
• realism about fictional objects, including the arguments that fictional objects are real but non-existent; real but non-factual; real but non-concrete
• the relationship between fictional characters and non-actual worlds
• fictional entities as abstract artefacts
• fiction and intentionality and the problem of irrealism
• fictionalism about possible worlds
• moral fictionalism.

R. M. Sainsbury makes extensive use of examples from fiction, such as Sherlock Holmes, Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary and examines the work of philosophers who have made significant contributions to the topic, including Meinong, David Lewis, and Bas Van Fraassen. Additional features include chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary of technical terms, making Fiction and Fictionalism ideal for those coming to the issue for the first time.

Reviews

‘…an impressive book. In a clear, concise and engaging style, Sainsbury manages to explain fairly difficult issues in an accessible way. Throughout the arguments are of high quality. Sainsbury manages both to provide good overviews of the relevant literature, and to present interesting arguments on pretty much every page. The book will be useful for students both at the advanced undergraduate level and at the graduate level, and for researchers in metaphysics and philosophy of language.’ - Matti Eklund, Cornell University

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. What is fiction? 2. Realism about fictional objects 3. Fictional objects are nonexistents 4. Worlds and truth: fictional worlds, possible worlds 5. Fictional entities are abstract artifacts 6. Irrealism: fiction and intentionality 7. Some fictionalists 8. Fictionalism about possible worlds 9. Moral fictionalism 10. Retrospect Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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