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Q&A Stories with Philosophical Conversations?

I would suggest that there is a very simple rule of thumb here: if it is revelatory of character, it is a story. If it is revelatory of ideas, it is a philosophical essay in disguise. We debate p...

posted 7y ago by Mark Baker‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2020-01-03T20:41:53Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/27838
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T06:24:26Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/27838
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T06:24:26Z (almost 5 years ago)
I would suggest that there is a very simple rule of thumb here: if it is revelatory of character, it is a story. If it is revelatory of ideas, it is a philosophical essay in disguise.

We debate philosophy. It is part of what makes humans human, and it is therefore a fit matter for story. But the issues in a story are not who is right, but what is it like to debate philosophy? Why do we do it? How do we respond the the challenge of an opposing view? How do we handle the destruction of our arguments? When does doubt creep in? Do we debate honestly or resort to rhetorical trickery? Do we bully? Do we deceive? What do we do when doubt of our our own position sets in? Do we care more about truth or victory?

There is a rich field for moral questions, moral doubts, and moral decisions in all of these questions, and therefore a rich ground for stories.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2017-04-29T11:44:14Z (over 7 years ago)
Original score: 1