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Actualism in Literature & Literary Theory
Actualism is a philosophical stance that rejects the existence of unrealized possibilities, asserting that only actual entities, events, or states of affairs have genuine existence.
The term “actualism” is derived from the Latin word “actus,” meaning “act” or “deed.” It encompasses the philosophical notion that reality is best understood through the examination of actual events and observable phenomena rather than relying on speculative or theoretical constructs.
Meanings:
Geological Actualism: In the field of geology, actualism refers to the principle that present-day geological processes can be used to interpret past geological events. This approach assumes that the same natural laws and processes observable today were also in operation in the past.
Philosophical Actualism: In philosophy, actualism pertains to a doctrine that denies the existence of unrealized possibilities. It asserts that only actual entities, events, or states of affairs have genuine existence, dismissing potential or hypothetical situations as mere abstractions.
Ethical Actualism: Ethical actualism is a moral theory that posits the importance of considering individual actions in determining the morality of a situation. It emphasizes the evaluation of specific actions rather than adherence to moral rules or principles.
Biblical Actualism: In biblical studies, actualism is a perspective that interprets biblical prophecies and texts as directly relating to historical events rather than symbolically or metaphorically. This approach seeks to understand religious scriptures in a concrete and historical context.
Language and Logic Actualism: Within linguistics and logic, actualism denotes a viewpoint that focuses on the actual use of language rather than abstract linguistic forms or theoretical constructs. It emphasizes studying language in real-world contexts to understand its meaning and function.
Actualism: Definition of a Theoretical Term
Actualism is a philosophical stance that rejects the existence of unrealized possibilities, asserting that only actual entities, events, or states of affairs have genuine existence. This perspective contends that potential or hypothetical situations lack ontological reality and are merely conceptual constructs. In various fields, from ethics to geology, actualism underscores the importance of examining tangible, observable phenomena rather than relying on speculative or theoretical notions.
Actualism: Theorists, Works and Argument
Theorist
Key Works
Central Argument
Roderick Chisholm
Person and Object (1976)
Chisholm advocates for ethical actualism, asserting that moral obligations depend on actual situations and specific actions rather than abstract principles.
James Hutton
Theory of the Earth (1795)
A pioneer in geological actualism, Hutton argued that the Earth’s features can be explained by the same natural processes observed in the present, challenging prevailing catastrophist views and laying the foundation for uniformitarianism in geology.
David Lewis
Counterfactuals (1973)
Lewis contributed to the philosophical understanding of counterfactuals, a concept relevant to actualism, by exploring possible worlds and arguing that only those worlds consistent with the actual laws of nature are relevant for counterfactual reasoning.
Alvin Plantinga
God, Freedom, and Evil (1974)
In the context of theological actualism, Plantinga engages with the problem of evil and defends the idea that God, despite being all-powerful and all-good, could allow for the existence of evil due to the necessity of free will.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Philosophical Investigations
Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, particularly in “Philosophical Investigations,” challenges traditional approaches to language and meaning, emphasizing the importance of language use in specific contexts—reflecting a form of actualism in linguistic philosophy.
Actualism: Major Characteristics
Philosophical Tenet:
Denial of Unrealized Possibilities: Actualism posits that only actual entities, events, or states of affairs possess genuine existence, rejecting the ontological reality of potential or hypothetical situations.
Ethical Emphasis:
Focus on Specific Actions: Ethical actualism emphasizes the evaluation of individual actions in determining morality, downplaying the significance of abstract moral principles.
Geological Principle:
Uniformitarianism: In geology, actualism aligns with the principle of uniformitarianism, asserting that present-day geological processes can be used to interpret past geological events. This is exemplified in James Hutton’s work, “Theory of the Earth.”
Theological Context:
Engagement with Evil and Free Will: In theology, actualism addresses the problem of evil, as seen in Alvin Plantinga’s “God, Freedom, and Evil,” where he argues that God’s allowance of evil is a consequence of the necessity of free will.
Linguistic Philosophy:
Contextual Language Use: In linguistic philosophy, actualism, as reflected in Ludwig Wittgenstein’s “Philosophical Investigations,” emphasizes understanding language in specific contexts rather than relying on abstract linguistic forms.
Literary Examples:
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: Hamlet’s existential dilemmas and actions in response to his situation align with ethical actualism, as his moral standing is evaluated based on specific decisions rather than adherence to general moral principles.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”: The novel’s exploration of historical and fantastical events, grounded in a narrative that adheres to present-day realism, reflects a literary example of actualistic lens in storytelling.
J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series: The unfolding events and moral choices made by characters in the wizarding world demonstrate ethical aspect, where the morality of their actions is assessed based on specific circumstances rather than universal ethical rules.
Actualistic outlook aligns with the New Critical emphasis on close reading and analysis of the text itself, emphasizing the specific details and actions depicted in the literary work.
In postmodern literature, actualistic lens can manifest in the deconstruction of traditional narrative structures, focusing on the immediate and concrete aspects of the story rather than adhering to grand narratives or hypothetical scenarios.
Actualism plays a role in reader-response theories by emphasizing the reader’s engagement with specific actions and events in the text, allowing for diverse interpretations based on individual responses to the actual content.
Feminist literary theories may incorporate actualism by examining specific actions and situations in literature, particularly in relation to gender roles, challenging abstract gender norms through concrete literary examples.
In postcolonial literature, actualism may be relevant in examining the tangible effects of colonialism on characters and societies, emphasizing concrete experiences rather than theoretical abstractions.
Actualism can intersect with psychoanalytic criticism by focusing on specific actions and behaviors of characters as reflections of their psychological states, delving into the concrete manifestations of the unconscious in literature.
Actualism: Application in Critiques
Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
Actualism in Character Analysis: Examining Hamlet’s specific actions and decisions throughout the play, such as his contemplation of revenge, allows for a nuanced understanding of his moral standing within the context of the unfolding events.
Ethical Evaluation of Plot Events: Applying ethical actualism to key plot points, such as Hamlet’s treatment of Ophelia or his confrontation with Claudius, provides a focused critique that emphasizes the significance of individual actions over general moral principles.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude:
Actualism in Magical Realism: Analyzing the magical realist elements in the novel through actualistic lens highlights the juxtaposition of fantastical events with a concrete narrative, allowing for a deeper exploration of the impact of historical and fantastical occurrences on characters and societies.
Emphasis on Historical Context: Applying actualistic lens to the historical aspects of the novel allows for a critique that considers the tangible effects of specific events on the characters and their development.
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series:
Ethical Choices of Characters: Using ethical actualistic lens, the series can be critiqued by focusing on the moral choices made by characters in specific situations, evaluating their actions within the context of the wizarding world rather than applying universal ethical standards.
Reader-Response: Considering actualism in reader-response critiques allows for an examination of how readers engage with and interpret the concrete events and decisions made by characters, acknowledging diverse reader perspectives.
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart:
Postcolonial Examination: Applying actualism in a postcolonial critique involves analyzing the concrete effects of colonialism on the characters and societies depicted in the novel, emphasizing the tangible consequences of historical events.
Cultural Context and Specific Actions: A critique would explore the significance of characters’ specific actions within the cultural context, delving into the nuanced portrayal of societal changes and individual responses to colonial influence.
Actualism: Relevant Terms
Term
Brief Definition
Ontological
Asserts only existing entities have reality, denying the existence of unrealized possibilities.
Uniformitarianism
Geological principle that present-day processes explain past events; aligned with it in geology.
Ethical
Emphasizes evaluating morality based on specific actions in a given context rather than abstract principles.