Fiction As Philosophy: by Allyson Ann Carr a Thesis Submitted In
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Fiction as Philosophy: Reading the Work of Christine de Pizan and Luce Irigaray to Write a Hermeneutics of Socially Transformative Fiction-mediated Philosophy by Allyson Ann Carr A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Institute for Christian Studies Copyright © 2011 by Allyson Ann Carr Abstract Fiction as Philosophy: Reading the Work of Christine de Pizan and Luce Irigaray to Write a Hermeneutics of Socially Transformative Fiction-mediated Philosophy Allyson Ann Carr Doctor of Philosophy Institute for Christian Studies 2011 This dissertation proposes to examine the work of scholars Christine de Pizan and Luce Irigaray in order to develop the possibilities of fiction in philosophy for the purposes of social transformation. Using four of her major narrative texts (The Mutación of Fortune, the City of Ladies, the Path of Long Study and the Vision) I show how Christine em ploys the complex array of hermeneutical tools available to her in fictionalized ways as a means of training her readers into re-writing their understanding of themselves and their contexts. Alongside such re-writings, I show that she understands herself to have a particular vocation for educating the powers of France towards ethical action in their governance, and that she does so in these works in the form of philosophically oriented fictionalizations. I use the work of Luce Irigaray to explore a philosopher from the twen tieth and twenty-first century who uses narrative and hermeneutical tools that bear a family resemblance to Christine’s. Tracing Irigaray’s formulations on the necessity of sex ual difference I show how she re-tells stories from myth and history in such a way as to develop the sexual difference she desires. Finally, having engaged with these two philoso phers, I use the hermeneutical work of Hans-Georg Gadamer to present my own work on how well-crafted fiction can be used to build philosophical concepts and understandings that are not yet available in our world, but which become available to us through our participation in the new fictionalized contexts and fictional worlds we create. I show how it is through understanding the possibilities this kind of philosophical and fictionalized utopic thinking holds that social transformation rooted in the world-building capabilities of individual persons can occur. This work is dedicated in memoria to Betty Underwood, Henry Carr, Robbin Burry, and Finnigan Harrison: Bright souls who did not live to see its completion. iv Acknowledgements It has been said, and I have found it to be profoundly true, that it takes a village to raise a child. In the same vein, I must confess here that it takes a community to develop a philosopher, and my deepest gratitude goes to all of those numerous people who have helped “raise” me as a philosopher: both those who are academics and those who are not. To my mentor and supervisor Bob Sweetman, a heartfelt thanks. It was you who first said, “there’s this woman whose works you simply have to read, Christine de Pizan...” and then bravely undertook to mentor a student already wholly seeped in modern philosophy with no medieval training. With patience worthy of Job, you repeatedly pulled your medievally-veiled modern student back from the brink of blithely skating over many an anachronistic precipice. I speak of hermeneutical tools in this dissertation, and you have helped me acquire many. Also important to the path my learning has taken thus far is Lambert Zuidervaart, who both challenged and supported me early on in my work on Gadamer. You were one of the first scholars to show me what engaging one’s tradition could really mean, an example of which I am very grateful. Thanks go to Jim Olthius as well, who first introduced me to Luce Irigaray’s work, and who has always encouraged me to think more deeply about it. There are others who have walked with me at various times to bring me to this place, and for whose support I am very grateful: Barbara Carvill, whose support and understanding I cherish deeply; Shawn Stovell for always being willing to take a moment (more likely, several) to talk; Isabella for being the wonderful librarian that she is; also, Keturah (Thunder) Haab for always caring and even for throwing the occasional piece of chalk at me, and Jane Burch for teaching me what true leadership meant. My thanks also goes to the ICS community I met upon arriving here, who first began to show me the depth of what community could mean: Bob, Lambert and Jim I have already mentioned (though they belong here as well) but in addition Doug Blomberg, whose RA I first was, Sylvia Keesmat for challenging me, Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin for helping me hone my analytic skills, and Jonathan Chaplin in whose political philosophy classes I began to really explore doing philosophy in story form. Though he is no longer with us, I would be remiss without mentioning George VanderVelde, whose class and conversations broadened my horizons in many ways, and who was also one of the first people to make me feel welcome in this community. Also Robbin Burry, whose chaotic exuberance and friendship I dearly miss. To friends who have sustained me in many ways over the years: Rachael Washington for being the beautiful and amazing best friend and support she has been and continues to be; Melissa DeLuka for helping ensure I survived high school in one piece to be able to eventually attend university and grad school; Jess Kreher for sticking with me through university and after; Michael and Kimberly McDonald, Pasi Paltanen and Grom and Lois Wegemer for their incredible support in all my pursuits, and their cherished friendship. Thanks also to Edan and George, and to Keith Tovey, whose drumming often brought renewed music to our house. To Matt and Lydia Harrison and Neal and Tanya DeRoo, I am especially grateful for their friendship and acceptance at a difficult time in my life, and indeed their own. Truly, the four of you showed me what strength is. Though I have already mentioned Rachael, Mark Ausema and the rest of the Calvin Writer’s Guild belong here as well for their encouragement in my pursuit of writing fiction and poetry; Thanks also to Nick Dziedzic for getting me my first copy of Truth and Method even though it wasn’t your thing; for introducing me to a life-long love of music, and for teaching me (among other things) that it really is okay to use four-letter words sometimes. To all those who have made me a part of their family I also extend my deep gratitude and the acknowledgment of their role in bringing me to a place where I was able to write this work: first, the Fahlstroms, (and Mills!) and in particular Ann Fahlstrom, who was (and ever will be) my “second mom”; Patricia and Dennis Zimmer, who took over being my godparents and encouraged my love of fiction, theatre and poetry even while I was a young child; Also to Rita and Jamie, as well as David and Elaine Gries, who have provided so much support in so many ways during the writing of this dissertation. Thanks also to Doug and Betty for their interest and support, and to Bill. To my Ontario family: Wil, Kristie, Petra, Paul, Sage, Liam and Zoe (and Alanna!): To say “I could not have done this without you” simply doesn’t cut it. You helped me find my roots and see the sky again. With regards to the dissertation itself, Paul and Kristie both read drafts of various sections, which was no small help, and Paul ha spent hours helping me format the final version. Petra wisely reminded me that practical things (like remembering to eat lunch) are just as important as research, and Wil put up with many a long exposition of my arguments in the thesis, allowing my Gadamarian taste for philosophy by conversation to have the room to do its work. Thank you. Sage, Liam and Zoe, I would not trade being your AllyMom for anything in the world, and this work has been supported as much by your hugs, drawings of bats, bears, raccoons, princesses, fairies and dragons (etc!), and each of you just being who you are, as by anything else. Thank you. And last to those who truly were with me first: my Michigan family, Carrs, Underwoods, Tallmans and Snyders, who raised and supported me from being the inquisitive little chatterbox who loved to follow around and watch, to the active and rooted woman I have become. I am deeply grateful. Your communal example taught me first that a family pulls together no matter what hardships arise, and can always re-knit itself. Thanks too goes to David Eastman, my mother’s partner of more than ten years. Of this set I want to thank in particular my Grampa, John Underwood, who has taught me more about living than he will ever suspect; my Gramma, Nancy Carr, who taught me more about love and faith than she will ever suspect; my niece Alejah Tate whose smiles and inner strength brightens my life, my sister Kristin Carr, who never gave up on that crazy older sibling of hers and whose friendship means so much to me; and finally my mother, whose friendship, love and support has always been one of my deepest wells of sustenance. Thank you. Though many have helped and encouraged me, it goes without saying that any mistakes remaining are my own. Finally, a posthumous thanks to Christine herself, who has been my sibyl of the last few years and whose words plucked from Dante I also here repeat at this opening of my work: May long study avail me! Toronto/Ajax, 2011 Contents List of Abbreviations 1 Works by Christine de Pizan........................................................................................