Paul Ricoeur and narrative paradoxes∗

The paper examines the paradoxes evident in Ricoeur's theses of literary narrative and points out that these paradoxes have induced subsequent reflection and suggestions for possible solutions. On the one hand, Ricoeur identifies narrative by representing both time and the identity of the subject as relative; on the other hand, he deals with the same narrative, employing a phenomenological or anthropological approach to represent time and the identity of the subject. The narrative can, however, also be read according to a duality which, in itself, constitutes another paradox. The conclusions reached are that, in terms of writing, the singularity of the literary narrative is stressed; in terms of temporality, narrative can be interpreted according to one of three aspects of time; and in terms of representation of action, it is assumed that agents either respond to situations, or act to reveal situations. Throughout the above brief survey one should constantly be aware of the significance of the intrinsic presence of asymmetric reference pertaining to the subject of the action, the representation of time and of action. This asymmetry, characterising the fictional narrative, provides it with more freedom and a much wider scope

Aesthetics · Epistemology · Linguistics · Narrative · Narrative criticism · Narrative identity · Narrative inquiry · Physics · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Temporality · Computer Science · Hermeneutics and Narrative Identity · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Law · Narrative Theory and Analysis · Philosophy

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  Open Access•Paul Ricoeur•Religious Studies Review•1976

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• Narration, connaissance et identité chez Paul Ricoeur. Paul Ricoeur, Temps et récit, Tomes 1, 2 et 3, Paris, Éditions du Seuil, 1983, 1984 et 1985

  Open Access•Roberto Miguelez•Philosophiques•1987

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