Enlightenment institutions dominate our cultural landscape. Perhaps no idea is as problematic as the belief in "Cartesian dualism" — the separation between mind and body, interior and exterior, subject and object. Since Descartes, philosophers and literary critics have been trying to reconcile that dichotomous relationship in order to create strong epistemological models of subjectivity. This thesis explores the ways in which pragmatism allows modern poets like Robert Frost and Wallace Stevens to challenge the notion of Cartesian subjectivity. By encouraging their readers to dissolve the subject/object distinction, these poets attempt to bridge the subjectivity gap between independent minds. As these disembodied voices manifest themselves in our consciousness — appearing in the one place they don't belong — they challenge our notion of epistemological independence and enable us to enact a more social-self. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of English in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Spring Semester, 2008. / April 7, 2008. / James, Idealism, Radical Empiricism, Dewey / Includes bibliographical references. / Andrew Epstein, Professor Directing Thesis; RM Berry, Committee Member; Tim Parrish, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_182582 |
| Contributors | Findeisen, Christopher (authoraut), Epstein, Andrew (professor directing thesis), Berry, RM (committee member), Parrish, Tim (committee member), Department of English (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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