Transcript pure force of thought

The Nature of Detective Fiction
Detective fiction focuses mainly on character development,
plot, and setting; all of these put together make up the
“style” of detective fiction.
QUESTION?
Traditionally where does most of the
information within detective story come?
Setting -- In detective fiction the importance of
setting is dictated by the author’s style.
Traditionally the setting is where most of the
surrounding information comes from, and it also
fills in the gaps that a plot line may leave
behind.
It can:
(think of an example of each)
*Indicate the period of time.
*Influence the plot (when the plot
happens in a specific setting.)
*Provide clues
*Help to define character
Plot -- Traditionally the detective fiction plot
follows an Aristotelian plot formula: (THE SET,
THE WORK OUT, SOLVED.) This formula is the
same with the (beginning, middle, end) of regular
stories.
As the plot begins:
As the plot begins the reader begins to get a
fix on whether the focus is on the characters, setting,
or plot.
The plot generally (6-10 times, but not
always) begins after the crime (before the detective
knows) has been committed.
We also tend to get out clues from the plot,
there are two general types; real / fake. We also
know that the criminal, who ever he/she is, is usually
identified by the end.
CHARACTERS -- The characters in a detective
fiction story are very important to the success of the story.
The more interesting th e characters, the better the over all
story. The reason is simpl e, detective stories by definition
are rather simpl e and unorigin al to the reader; a good
detective will make all the difference.
Generally there are two types of characters found in
detective stories, round and flat. The detective, being the
“hero” of the story (and at least the main focus) will be
better developed as a character than would the crimin al,
who would be almost as developed.
The Detective is larger than life, generally giv en
to eccentric peculiarity, a prop, or a certain knowledge used
to define him/her self. The detective is almost always
disconnected with the police.
The Crimin al is cool, but not quite as cool as the
detective. He/She must describe so the motive could be
seen if sought after. This character also shows no emotion,
cold as ice.
*The only person who can be fully developed is the
detective, crimin al, and maybe one or two others who have
the motivation, the rest are considered stock characters.
Motivation is applied to clues to help solve the case.
STYLE -- See! It’s simple. It’s all up to the
author as to how well he/she uses all of the above
information to create an intriguing yet solvable case
with an interesting detective and clever criminal.
This genre of fiction has for two centuries been a
very popular form of fiction. From the “Arm Chair”
detective to the passing fan, neither will be satisfied
if it’s to easy, yet will also be turned off if outside
help is needed.
Detective vs. Mystery
With a mystery story solving it doesn’t really
mean:
-catching the/a criminal.
But does usually mean:
-Solving how something ended up happing.
So! With all of this in mind the question is still begged…
“What is the appeal of detective fiction?”
hint: Armchair Detective
LOGIC
Greek Word LOGOS------> designates a certain kind of thinking
about the world, a kind of rational (having reason or sanity) analysis
that places things in the context of reason and explains them with
pure force of thought! Such an intellectual exercise was supposed to
lead to wisdom.
Before Logos was invented: MYTHOS----> a certain way of
thinking that placed the world in the contest of it’s
SUPERNATURAL origins, and is conservative by nature.
--->Positive---it creates a whole social world in which
acts had meaning(Sioux Nation before Louisiana purchase.)
---> Negative---It also creates a static society that
resists innovation---are afraid of innovation. After a while, don’t
have to think for themselves.
CLASSICAL LOGIC:
Aristotle’s Logic is known today as SYLLOGISTIC
REASONING.
A basic SYLLOGISM is an argument made up of
statements in one of four forms:
---all A’s are B (universal)
---No A’s are B (universal negative)
---Some A’s are B (Particular)
---Some A’s are not B (Particular negative)
***Well formed syllogisms consist of 2 premises and a conclusion.
Classical Logic Cont:
Each premise has one term in common with each other, and with the
conclusion = a triangle!
Prem1-----------Prem 2
Conclusion
***there are also two different types of reasoning styles:
Deductive Reasoning--------Inductive Reasoning----p.1
P.1
Conclusion
P.2
Conclusion
p.2
*Example: exit polls, take sample of a few, use to apply to masses.
Part II: INTUITION
INTUITION IS…A form of knowledge or cognition independent of
experience or reason. A inherent quality of the mind.
HISTORY: This concept is actually the fusion of two different ideas:
Axiom which means something that is self evident and
requires no proof.
(ex: “Don’t pull your phone out in front of an administrator”.)
Revelation is a mystical idea which identifies that truth, real
truth, surpasses the power of the intellect.
(ex: “if I study my notes before the night of a test or quiz, I
could do better.”)
REMEMBER: Logic is a relatively new concept, and not really a
popular one when it was developed. Rightly or wrongly intuition
has always played a major role in the lives of humans. The
Philosopher Spinoza called intuition the highest form of knowledge,
over empirical knowledge (uses senses) and scientific knowledge
(reason).