Humanities and Arts
Fictional Creations
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Maarten Steenhagen Shibukawa
Abstract
Many people assume that fictional entities are encapsulated in the world of fiction. I show that this cannot be right. Some works of fiction tell us about pieces of poetry, music, or theatre written by fictional characters. Such creations are fictional creations, as I call them. Their authors do not exist. But that does not take away that we can perform, recite, or otherwise generate actual instances of such works. This means we can bring such individuals actually into existence, as the works they are. I conclude that the assumption about encapsulation is untenable, unless an exception is made for types. It is commonly assumed that fictional entities do not exist, at least not actually. “There is no Dracula!” we tell the children before bedtime, “It’s only a story.” That no fictional entity exists is however a substantive philosophical claim, and some philosophers have even gone so far to claim that no fictional entity can exist in the actual world. I will show that both claims are false. To say that fictional entities do not exist, or to claim that they could not exist, is mistaken, I argue, for reasons that have little to do with the distinction between fiction and reality.
Key Questions
What is the central focus of the article "Fictional Creations"?
The article explores the nature of fictional creations, examining how they are constructed, perceived, and understood within philosophical and artistic contexts.
How does the article define fictional creations?
Fictional creations are defined as imaginative constructs that exist within the frameworks of literature, art, and other creative forms, while remaining separate from physical reality.
What philosophical questions are raised by fictional creations?
The article addresses questions such as: What does it mean for something to exist in fiction? How do fictional entities relate to reality? And what role does audience interpretation play in their existence?
What are some examples of fictional creations discussed in the article?
Examples include characters, worlds, and narratives from literature and art that illustrate the tension between imaginative freedom and conceptual structure.
How are fictional creations brought into existence?
The article examines the process of creation, where authors and artists use language, imagery, and narrative techniques to bring fictional entities to life within a shared imaginative space.
What role does audience engagement play in fictional creations?
Audience engagement is crucial, as fictional creations depend on interpretation, emotional investment, and the willingness of individuals to suspend disbelief and interact with the fictional world.
Why is the study of fictional creations important?
The study of fictional creations provides insights into human imagination, creativity, and the ways in which we construct meaning and understanding through storytelling and art.
