The power and pitfalls of narrative imagination: a critical examination of Nussbaum’s theory

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Abstract

Martha Nussbaum's "narrative imagination" notion provides a thorough examination of the ways in which storytelling might promote civic duty, moral growth, and empathy. Her perspective is centered on the humanities' and arts' transformative potential in resolving social inequities and fostering democratic societies (Nussbaum, M. C., 1997; 2010). This essay critically analyzes Nussbaum's worldview, stressing both its advantages—like its capacity to promote cosmopolitanism and inspire social action via empathy—and disadvantages—like the potential for empathy bias, emotional exhaustion, and a dearth of structural remedies.
While narrative imagination fosters emotional engagement, critics contend that it is insufficient to remedy structural inequities on its own; institutional interventions and direct policy reforms are necessary. By putting forth a multifaceted strategy that combines Nussbaum's principles with useful tactics like activism, civic education, and structural improvements, this study balances these viewpoints. It highlights the importance of critical thinking about systemic problems, inclusive and diverse narratives, and connecting the arts with concrete social change initiatives. For example, research demonstrates that reading literary fiction improves theory-of-mind processes, which can enhance empathy (Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E., 2013). Furthermore, incorporating arts-based methods with civic education and activism has been shown to strengthen democratic engagement (Charon, R., 2006).
In the end, the paper promotes the use of both systemic solutions and narrative imagination to build a more just and inclusive society. In addition to being a tool for personal development, Nussbaum's framework serves as a cornerstone for tackling the complexity of global issues via social justice, education, and democratic engagement.
Original languageEnglish
TypeArgumentative Writing Practice Paper
Media of outputPaper
Number of pages17
Publication statusUnpublished - 5 Jan 2025

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