Recent philosophy and the fiction/non-fiction distinction

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of recent philosophical argument concerning the distinction between fiction and non-fiction.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical view of the literature.

Findings

A consensus that had emerged that defined fiction in terms of the imagination, and imagination in terms of its functional role, has recently been questioned.

Research limitations/implications

The overview was written by a contributor to the field, and so may be considered partial.

Practical implications

There might be some implications regarding the ways books are classified.

Originality/value

The paper is not original, in that it puts forward points made elsewhere, however it is a completely up-to-date review of the field.

Citation

Matravers, D. (2018), "Recent philosophy and the fiction/non-fiction distinction", Collection and Curation, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 93-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/CC-07-2017-0031