Between Literature and Science: Poe, Lem, and Explorations in Aesthetics, Cognitive Science, and Literary Knowledge

by Peter Swirski

Through close analysis of Eureka and The Purloined Letter, Swirski evaluates Poe's epistemological theses in the light of contemporary philosophy of science and presents literary interpretation as a cooperative game played by the author and reader, thereby illuminating how we read fiction. The analysis of Poe's little-studied Eureka provides the basis for his discussion of Lem's critique of scientific reductionism and futurological forecasts. Drawing on his own interviews with Lem as well as analysis of his works, Swirski considers the author's scenarios involving computers capable of creative acts and discusses their socio-cultural implications. His analysis leads to bold arguments about the nature of literature and its relation to a broad range of other disciplines.

Genres: Academic

202 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the author was going to use Poe's Eureka to make interesting connections between science and poetry, but he mostly just demolished the extent of Poe's knowledge of his contemporarys' scientific work. I enjoyed more some really interesting analysis of Lem's portrayal of the shortcomings of science in The Invincible - how little it might equip us to understand the totally alien entity. I felt his discussion of AI as author was a bit lacking in reference to the text and it also seemed dated, but then I realised that, having been written in 2000 it was actually quite prescient and it might be interesting to follow some of that thinking in later work, informed by advances in machine learning as applied to creativity.

[Wucaixia · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good