Question

Explain what the paradox of fiction is and list the three premises. Describe a response to the paradox and identify which premise it targets

Answer 1

• The paradox of fiction lies in the seeming contradiction that we appear to have real emotions for fictional characters, while at the same time knowing that they do.
• The paradox of fiction is a philosophical problem about how people can experience strong emotions from purely fictional things, such as art, literature, and imagination. The paradox draws attention to an everyday issue of how people are moved by things which, in some ways, do not exist.
• The basic paradox is as follows:
• Most people have emotional responses to characters, objects, events etc. which they know to be fictitious.
• On the other hand, in order for us to be emotionally moved, we must believe that these characters, objects, or events, truly exist.
• But no person who takes characters or events to be fictional at the same time believes that they are real.
• The paradox is that all three premises seem to be true, but can not logically be true at the same time. If any two points (e.g. 1 and 3) are taken to be true, then the third (e.g. 2) must either be false or else produce a contradiction.
• Another explanation of the 3 premises:-
• First, some emotional responses to fiction count as genuine emotions.
• Second, we don’t believe that the objects of those genuine emotions the fictional entities actually exist.
• And third, we are only rationally moved by what we believe actually exists. Or in other words, having a genuine emotional response implies a belief in the existence of a fictional thing.
• Radford argues that all three of these premises are true. He concludes that emotional responses, such as sadness for our protagonist or fear on account of our ghost, are irrational through and through.
• Due to time limite,remaining question can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation