Why read literature? The cognitive function of form

In this paper I sketch a picture of language that shows that by improving our linguistic abilities and enhancing our conceptual apparatus, literature can not only teach us new ways of perceiving the world, but also enhance our social practices. More precisely, I sketch a picture of language that shows that by teaching people to talk, literature can be cognitively valuable. Though this picture is not new – it draws substantially on Wittgenstein’s philosophy – it radically differs from the view of literature common among most twentieth century analytic philosophers. The main advantage of this picture is that it allows us to address the question of why people read lit- erary texts. Literature plays a central part in our everyday life, and it is my contention that every account of literature (or fiction) should address this question.