Epistemics of the Virtual: (12 Linguistic Approaches to Literature)

Proposing a new theory of fiction, this work reviews the confusion about perceived realism, metaphor, virtual worlds and the seemingly obvious distinction between what is true and what is false. The rise of new media, new technology, and creative products and services requires a new examination of what ‘real’ friends are, to what extent scientific novelty is ‘true’, and whether online content is merely ‘figurative’. In this transdisciplinary theory the author evaluates cognitive theories, philosophical discussion, and topics in biology and physics, and places these in the frameworks of computer science and literary theory. The interest of the reader is continuously challenged on matters of truth, fiction, and the shakiness of our belief systems.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction; 2. 1. The reality-fiction friction; 3. 2. Enforcing the concepts: Genre labeling; 4. 3. Derailing the concepts: From metamorphosis to impersonation to metaphor; 5. 4. Illusions and deviation tolerance; 6. 5. Beyond realism: Virtual people; 7. 6. Epistemics of the Virtual: Synthesis; 8. Take - Make; 9. References; 10. List of referenced figures; 11. Index

Review :
Dr. dr. Hoorn is not just broadly educated, he is deeply educated in these areas, and his scholarly work synthesizes these otherwise-disparate areas in a seamless and compelling manner. Epistemics of the Virtual brings together principles and findings from anthropology, zoology, psychology, arts, archeology, and other areas, recognizing the disciplinary origins of the work, but showing their commonality and complementarity. I have rarely if ever met an individual with as deep and unified a knowledge base as Johan Hoorn, and I consider it a privilege to have been given glimpses of his intellectual prowess. Epistemics of the Virtual is marked by extensive scholarship communicated in an engaging style. In addition to synthesizing and applying studies done by other researchers, Hoorn presents valuable empirical research of his own. This book is sure to be received with enthusiasm by many readers interested in the cognitive study of culture. Johan Hoorn’s Epistemics of the Virtual presents a challenging novel conceptualization of fiction as “apparent” reality in a media landscape increasingly laden with iconic virtualities. This exploration is exceedingly timely, as the portrayal of events in the technologically new media usually, if not always, eludes examination of the events’ epistemological status. Hoorn addresses these circumstances, essentially, by conceiving “apparent” characters and happenings as composites of features that were experientially validated and features that were appraised as arbitrarily created or even fashioned with deceptive intention. Such stratification of features enables the accommodation of all conceivable virtual incidents and artistic machinations. Last but not least, the cognitive discernment of the epistemic status of virtual encounters is seen as duly filtered and moderated by personal convictions and cultural valuations. Hoorn supports his intriguing proposals with a wealth of fascinating exemplars drawn from a variety of scientific disciplines and the humanities. As technology increasingly mediates our connection to the world and each other, the resulting blurring between what is real and what is virtual will have profound and unexpected consequences for all human endeavors. Here, Johan Hoorn struggles to with signposts to guide us in this strange new space. Epistemics of the Virtual is sure to provoke your mind.