The Philosophical Novel as a Literary Genre

This book examines the conceptual, existential, and logical conditions under which the philosophical novel can be treated as a literary genre on a par with generally recognized literary genres, such as mystery, romantic, adventure, religious, or historical novel. Michael H. Mitias argues that the philosophical novel meets these conditions. He advances a detailed analysis of the concept of literary genre, and discusses the reasons which justify the claim that philosophical novel is a distinct literary genre. This is based on the assumption that philosophical ideas can be communicated metaphorically. An analysis of this assumption necessarily leads to a detailed discussion of the concept of metaphor and the extent to which it can be the vehicle of communicating philosophical truth.

1. Introduction: Thesis of the Book 

2. Basis of Genre in the Literary Novel

3. The Philosophical Novel as a Literary Genre

4. How the Philosophical Novel Communicates Knowledge

5. Analysis of Two Metaphors

6. The Question of Truth in the Philosophical Novel