Readings in in Comparing Views

1. Holy Name University
Tagbilaran City
College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate Studies
Philosophy & Literature: Comparing Views
Task 2
Name: CARLO B. LARU-AN
Course and Year: PhDLitt 1
Author Brief Explanation of the Relationship
between Philosophy and Literature (5-8
sentences)
Shared Views between the two authors Literary Work Concretizing each perspective
Khataniar
(2020)
• Khataniar explores the relationship between
philosophy and literature, focusing on
certain aspects of their interaction.
• He argues that literature can serve as a
medium for philosophical inquiry and
reflection, and that philosophy can provide
a framework for understanding literary
texts.
• Khataniar notes that both disciplines are
concerned with the human condition and
the search for meaning.
• Literature can provide insights into the
complexities of human experience that may
1.Both Rudolf Bernet and Ansuman
Khataniar explore the relationship between
philosophy and literature and argue that
there are significant overlaps and
intersections between the two disciplines.
They both suggest that philosophy and
literature share a common goal of seeking
truth and meaning, and that they can
enrich each other in various ways.
2.Philosophy and literature have often been
seen as distinct and separate disciplines
with different approaches to understanding
the world. However, both Bernet and
For Khataniar:
•"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee: This novel
explores themes of justice, morality, and the human
condition through the story of a young girl growing up in
the American South during the 1930s. Through the
character of Atticus Finch, Lee illustrates the importance
of ethical and philosophical reflection in navigating the
complexities of everyday life.
•"The Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera:
This novel blends philosophy and literature by exploring
themes related to the nature of existence and the search for
meaning. Through the story of the protagonist Tomas and
his relationships with the women in his life, Kundera

2. be difficult to capture through philosophical
analysis alone.
• Philosophy can provide a critical lens
through which to examine literary works
and uncover their underlying themes and
assumptions.
• The relationship between philosophy and
literature is not one-sided, as literature can
also challenge and enrich philosophical
thought.
• Khataniar suggests that literature can help
to humanize philosophy by bringing
abstract ideas down to earth and grounding
them in lived experience.
• Similarly, philosophy can provide a
theoretical foundation for literary works
and help to illuminate their broader
implications.
• The relationship between philosophy and
literature is complex and multifaceted, and
there is no one-size-fits-all approach to
their interaction.
• Khataniar's exploration of the relationship
between philosophy and literature provides
valuable insight into the ways in which
these two disciplines can enrich and inform
each other.
Khataniar argue that this view is overly
simplistic and that there are many ways in
which the two disciplines overlap and
interact.
3.Bernet suggests that literature often uses
narrative and character development to
explore the human experience, while
philosophy tends to rely on argument and
analysis. However, he also notes that
literature can provide insights into the
complexities of the human experience that
may be difficult to capture through
philosophical analysis alone. For example,
literature can provide a nuanced
understanding of emotions and
experiences that can be difficult to
articulate in a purely philosophical
framework.
4.Similarly, Khataniar argues that literature
can serve as a medium for philosophical
inquiry and reflection, and that philosophy
can provide a framework for
understanding literary texts. He suggests
that literature can help to humanize
philosophy by bringing abstract ideas
down to earth and grounding them in lived
experience. In this way, literature can
make philosophical ideas more accessible
and relevant to a wider audience.
5.Both authors also emphasize the
importance of interpretation and the role of
the reader in creating meaning from
literary and philosophical texts. They
raises questions about the role of choice and chance in
shaping our lives, and the ways in which we seek to find
meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Bernet (2018) • Bernet explores the relationship between
literature and philosophy, arguing that they
For Bernet:
•"The Stranger" by Albert Camus: This novel explores
existential themes and questions about the nature of truth,

3. share a common goal of seeking truth and
meaning.
• He notes that literature often uses narrative
and character development to explore the
human experience, while philosophy relies
on argument and analysis.
• There are many overlaps and intersections
between the two disciplines that can enrich
each other.
• Bernet examines the works of Nietzsche,
Heidegger, and Derrida to illustrate his
points.
• Literature has a role in shaping cultural and
historical narratives and challenging
established norms and beliefs.
• The meaning of a work of literature or
philosophy is not fixed, but rather evolves
over time as it is interpreted in different
contexts.
• Bernet emphasizes the importance of
interpretation and the role of the reader in
creating meaning from texts.
• Literature can help us understand ethical
dilemmas and provide a framework for
ethical reflection.
• The relationship between literature and
philosophy is complex and multifaceted.
• Bernet's examination of their similarities and
differences provides valuable insight into
how we seek truth and meaning in our lives.
argue that the meaning of a work is not
fixed, but rather evolves over time as it is
read and reinterpreted in different
contexts. This means that the same work
can have different meanings and
significance for different readers,
depending on their personal experiences
and cultural background.
6.Additionally, both Bernet and Khataniar
suggest that philosophy and literature
share a concern for the human condition
and the search for meaning. They argue
that both disciplines are motivated by a
desire to understand the world and our
place within it, and that they can offer
different perspectives on the same
questions.
7.Overall, the relationship between
philosophy and literature is complex and
multifaceted, and both disciplines have
much to offer each other. By exploring the
intersections and overlaps between these
two fields, we can gain a deeper
understanding of the human experience
and the ways in which we seek to
understand and make sense of the world
around us.
meaning, and human experience. Through the story of the
protagonist Meursault, Camus illustrates the difficulties of
capturing the complexities of the human condition through
purely philosophical analysis, and suggests that literature
can offer unique insights into these issues.
•"Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino: This novel blends
philosophy and literature by exploring themes related to
space, time, and identity. The book is structured as a series
of conversations between the explorer Marco Polo and the
emperor Kublai Khan, in which they discuss the various
cities that Polo has visited. The novel raises questions about
the nature of reality and the relationship between language
and perception, and highlights the ways in which literature
can offer imaginative and creative explorations of
philosophical concepts.
* These works, among many others, illustrate the complex
and multifaceted relationship between philosophy and
literature, and highlight the potential for these two
disciplines to inform and enrich one another.