Between literature and science
Subtitle: Poe and Lem
By: Peter Swirski
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Montreal
Language: eng
Number of pages: 183
Subjects: Poe, Edgar Allan, -- 1809-1849 -- Criticism and interpretation; Lem, Stanisław -- Criticism and interpretation; Literature and science
Description: "Through close analysis of Eureka and The Purloined Letter, Peter Swirski evaluates Poe's epistemological theses in the light of contemporary philosophy of science and presents literary interpretation as a cooperative game played by the author and reader, thereby illuminating how we read fiction. The analysis of Poe's little-studied Eureka provides the basis for his discussion of Lem's critique of scientific reductionism and futurological forecasts.

Drawing on his own interviews with Lem as well as analysis of his works, Swirski considers the author's scenarios involving computers capable of creative acts and discusses their socio-cultural implications. His analysis leads to bold arguments about the nature of literature and its relation to a broad range of other disciplines."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index