Carola Barbero on Philosophy of Literature and Aesthetic Experience

In an interview with Artribune, philosopher Carola Barbero discusses the intersection of literature and philosophy, exploring how literary works generate aesthetic experiences distinct from other arts. She argues that literature, unlike history, narrates possible events, offering access to the universal, as Aristotle noted. Barbero addresses the paradox of fiction, citing Colin Radford's 1975 article on emotional responses to fictional characters like Anna Karenina, and Kendall Walton's concept of quasi-emotions. She examines the normative nature of literary practices, referencing Peter Lamarque and Stein H. Olsen, and the ethical dimension of appreciation, as argued by Martha Nussbaum and Berys Gaut. Barbero emphasizes that literature enables imaginative experiments, allowing readers to experience perspectives safely, akin to the sublime as described by Lucretius and Kant. She also considers the difficulty of defining literature, noting its complex, evolving nature, and suggests focusing on genres, language, and interpretation instead. The interview is part of Artribune's 'Dialoghi di Estetica' series by Davide Dal Sasso.