This comprehensive Handbook presents the major perspectives within philosophy and literary studies on the relations, overlaps and tensions between philosophy and literature. Drawing on recent work in philosophy and literature, literary theory, philosophical aesthetics, literature as philosophy and philosophy as literature, its twenty-nine chapters plus substantial Introduction and Afterword examine the ways in which philosophy and literature depend on each other and interact, while also contrasting with each other in that they necessarily exclude or incorporate each other. This book establishes an enduring framework for structuring the broad themes defining the relations between philosophy and literature and organising the main topics in the field.

Key Features

•       Structured in five parts addressing philosophy as literature, philosophy of literature, philosophical aesthetics, literary criticism and theory, and main areas of work within philosophy and literature

•       An Introduction setting out the main concerns of the field through discussion of the major themes along with the individual topics

•       An Afterword looking at the interactions between philosophy and literature through itself enacting philosophical and literary writing while examining the question of how they can be brought together

The Palgrave Handbook of Philosophy and Literature is an essential resource for scholars, researchers and advanced students in philosophy of literature, philosophy as literature, literary theory, literature as philosophy, and the philosophical aesthetics of literature. It is an ideal volume for researchers, advanced students and scholars in philosophy, literary studies, philosophy and literature, cultural studies, classical studies and other related fields.  

 Introduction

Barry Stocker

      Part I Philosophy as Literature

1. Dialogue

    Shane McEwegan

2. Essays

    Michelle Boulous Walker

3. Narrative

    Niklas Forsberg

4. Poetry

5. Autobiography and Biography

6. Fragments and Aphorisms

    Guy Elgat

       Part II Philosophy of Literature

7. Myth

    Mihai Tudor Balinisteanu

8. Epic

    Michael Weinman

9. Drama

    Lior Levy

10. Lyric Poetry

      Matthew Abbott

11. Novel

      Barry Stocker

      Marsha S. Collins

        Part III Philosophical Aesthetics

      Jukka Mikkonen

      Isabel Jaén Portillo

15. Hermeneutics

      Hanna Meretoja

16. Phenomenology

      Tanja Staehler and Alexander Kozin

      Frederick William Kroon and  Alberto Voltolini

18. Deconstruction

      Simon Morgan Wortham

         Part IV Literary Criticism and Theory

19. Literature as Theory

      Michael Mack

20. Rhetoric

      Rosaleen Keefe

21. Feminism and Gender

22. Psychoanalysis

23. Post-Colonialism

      Bill Ashcroft

        Part V Areas of Work within Philosophy and Literature

      Julia J.A. Shaw

      Michael Keren

26. Philosophical Fictions and Thought Experiments

      İlhan İnan

27. Ethics and Literature

      Liebeth Korthals Altes and Hanna Meretoja

28. Political Economy and Literature

      Aaron W. Kitch

29. Literature and Religion

      Shira Wolosky

 Afterword

Michael Mack

 Index