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I can attest to the unique value of literature in assisting one’s ability to make sense of the world around them. I read entirely nonfiction throughout college
by scop 5y ago
I can attest to the unique value of literature in assisting one’s ability to make sense of the world around them. I read entirely nonfiction throughout college and into my the first part of my career (philosophy, science, theology, computer stuff). I was then diagnosed with cancer in my late twenties, whereupon I plunged into fiction and found that it both aided my understanding/grasp of the world and quite literally gave me solace. Nonfiction tended to paint the world into a false sense of black/white, right/wrong, good choice/bad choice etc. Fiction on the other hand captured just how murky this life can be.
(While on this topic, I will add that the single novel to have most shaken my soul is Melville’s Moby Dick. That novel brought me great comfort while also shattering me in many ways, what a work it is)
- netizen-936824 5y agoI know I'll probably get downvoted for asking, but is theology nonfiction? Perhaps the pieces where religious belief is studied but I'm not so sure about studying the divine or supernatural
- dinkleberg 5y agoPersonally, I think it is a bit of a pointless argument. To those who believe in the contents of a particular theological piece will argue it is non-fiction. Those who do not will say it is fiction. If we were to consider real, objective truth and not taking personal opinions and beliefs into the mix a lot of non-fiction books (e.g. many pop-psychology books) would be considered fiction too if non-fiction == based on fact && fiction == not based on fact. I think a better view is that non-fiction is intended to be truthful whereas a fiction is intended to be made up.