A symposium on the work of Stacie Friend
Thursday 22nd May 2014
University of Kent, Canterbury, Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
The Aesthetics Research Centre at the University of Kent is pleased to announce a one-day symposium focusing on Stacie Friend’s forthcoming book, Matters of Fact and Fiction. In this book she argues that the contrast between fact and fiction is deeply misguided. Not only does it fail to do justice to the complexities of literary practice, but it also presents a significant obstacle to addressing philosophical questions about fiction. At the same time it renders mysterious the relevance of fictional literature to our lives. In opposition to the tradition, Friend argues that facts are essential to fiction. The capacity of fiction to represent facts is fundamental to how we understand and appreciate fictional works, and provides the key to resolving philosophical puzzles.
In addition to Stacie Friend (Heythrop College), participants include Derek Matravers (Open University and University of Cambridge), Paloma Atencia-Linares (University of Kent), Shen-yi Liao (Nanyang Technological University / University of Leeds) and Margrethe Bruun Vaage (University of Kent).
The symposium is open to all and attendance is free. For further information, please check our website (http://www.aesthetics-research.org/) or contact Hans Maes (H.Maes@kent.ac.uk).
Schedule:
1pm: Welcome
1.30pm – 2.30pm: Comments by Margrethe Bruun Vaage & Derek Matravers
2.30pm – 3.30pm: Response Stacie Friend & Discussion
3.30pm – 4pm: Coffee
4pm – 5pm: Comments by Paloma Atencia-Linares & Shen-yi Liao
5pm – 6pm: Response Stacie Friend & Discussion