The evolutionary argument for Dr. Seuss | Salon Books

[davidfcooper]

The evolutionary argument for Dr. Seuss | Salon Books

An argument for the evolutionary value of fiction.

Comments

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

Buried in that is this interesting observation: "To be fair, Boyd feels compelled to insist on the obvious. That's because "On the Origin of Stories" is at least partly written to refute Theory, the dominant trend in late-20th-century academic literary criticism. Theory is deeply invested in the idea that human identities are entirely "constructed" by the cultures people grow up in, that we are born blank slates with no innate traits. A disciple of such evolutionary psychology evangelists as Steven Pinker and Denis Dutton, Boyd has the enthusiasm of a convert, and he shares his gurus' propensity for overstating their case as well as exaggerating the strength and recalcitrance of the other side. A hardcore constructionist camp does still persist in academia, but it's such a tiny and marginal element in the culture at large, that evolutionary psychologists come across as disingenuous when they insist on portraying themselves as an outnumbered, ragtag band of embattled crusaders."

[davidfcooper.livejournal.com]

I was a graduate comparative lit student in the 1980s when Theory reigned. My understanding is that Theory taught that all interpretations are equally valid, and that interpreting literature is the creative equal of actually writing poems, stories, novels and plays.

The quote restates the nature vs. nurture debate. Evidence in a variety of disciplines points to the equal influence of environment and inherited traits. Refusal to acknowledge the role of inherited traits characterizes second wave feminists as opposed to third wave feminists who are more science friendly (and more sex-positive).

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

The part I found particularly interesting is the assertion that the balance between the nature-advocates and the nurture-advocates is different in academia and the general culture. I myself found Pinker's "Blank Slate" to be good (YMMV, of course), but was somewhat puzzled over his report of the intensity of the opposition. But of course, Pinker is an academic, and it seems possible that the intellectual mileau he has been "fighting" in is far different from the real world.

interpreting literature is the creative equal of actually writing

Ugh.