The Novel as a Narrative Genre: From Interdisciplinary Interaction to Philosophical Depth
Keywords:
literature, novel, philosophy, interdisciplinarity, sociology.Abstract
This study aims to examine the interdisciplinary connection that the novel, as one of the most comprehensive genres of literature, establishes with sociology and philosophy, as well as the epistemological potential provided by this bond. The primary scope of the article consists of the novel's power to reflect social reality, its relationship with historical knowledge, and its capacity to embody abstract philosophical thoughts. As a methodological problem, the study focuses on the issue of how the novel – often confined to the category of “fiction” – acts as a foundational and transformative field of knowledge (such as “The novel is a Story”) for disciplines like sociology, history, and philosophy. A qualitative research method is adopted in the study; the perspectives of figures such as Arnold Hauser, Mustafa Özel, and Balzac are analyzed through typological classifications. Furthermore, through the genre of the philosophical novel, works such as Hayy ibn Yaqdhan and Sophie’s World are examined to understand how abstract concepts transform into an experiential integrity. The conclusions reached demonstrate that the novel is not merely a tool for aesthetic pleasure, but the most powerful narrative ground through which existential truths – such as freedom, alienation, and responsibility – can be expressed. The preference of existentialist writers for the novel form is explained by the genr re's ability to embody concepts, transcending the boundaries of theoretical language.
This study is derived from the doctoral dissertation titled “Doing Philosophy of Religion in the Context of the Relationship Between Literature and Philosophy: The Case of Chingiz Aitmatov”.
References
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REFERENCES
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