Applying a philosophical approach to literature is gathering momentum as an increasingly influential field of study. Philosophy of Literature features six newly–commissioned essays that address some of the issues at the vanguard of this thriving and important branch of aesthetics. A team of leading international literary and philosophical scholars present their insightful views on philosophy of literature?s central issues in a wide ranging series of readings. Topics addressed include the way literature can be a source of knowledge; the relation of form and content in literature; the importance of formal structure in narrative literature and absolute music; the scope and authority of literary criticism; J. L. Austin’s notorious claim that poetry is a non–serious use of language; and the historical relationship between philosophy and literature, from Plato to the present day. This book represents a lively and thought provoking collection of some of the most intriguing...