Consilience in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Consilience

The term “consilience” finds its etymological origins in the Latin language, specifically from the words “con” meaning “together” and “salire” meaning “to jump” or “leap.”

Coined by the 19th-century philosopher and scientist William Whewell, consilience signifies the convergence or unification of knowledge and ideas from diverse disciplines. It represents the idea that when evidence and theories from different fields mutually support and reinforce each other, a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of the world could be achieved, leading to a strengthened and more robust foundation for knowledge in various academic and intellectual pursuits.

This concept has had a lasting influence on fields such as science, philosophy, and the philosophy of science.

Meanings of Consilience

Aspect	Meanings
Interdisciplinary Convergence	Consilience refers to the coming together or convergence of knowledge, evidence, and ideas from different disciplines or academic fields to form a unified understanding.
Unity of Knowledge	It implies the integration of various branches of knowledge to create a coherent and comprehensive view of the world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diverse fields.
Reinforcement of Understanding	Consilience signifies that when theories and evidence from different domains support each other, they collectively strengthen the validity and reliability of knowledge.
Bridge Between Disciplines	It serves as a conceptual bridge between disparate areas of study, encouraging collaboration and synthesis of ideas across academic boundaries.
Enhanced Epistemological Foundations	The concept of consilience has been influential in philosophy and the philosophy of science, emphasizing the importance of a unified, multifaceted approach to knowledge acquisition and theory-building.

Definition of Consilience as a Theoretical Term

Consilience, as a theoretical term, refers to the principle of integrating and unifying knowledge from diverse academic disciplines to create a comprehensive and interconnected understanding of a given subject or phenomenon.

It posits that when evidence and theories from different fields converge and mutually support one another, it enhances the overall validity and reliability of the knowledge base. This concept underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the synthesis of ideas to strengthen the epistemological foundations of various academic pursuits.

Consilience: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• William Whewell: William Whewell, a 19th-century philosopher and scientist, is credited with coining the term “consilience.” He emphasized the importance of integrating knowledge from various academic disciplines to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the world. Whewell saw consilience as a means to bridge gaps between different fields of study and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
• E.O. Wilson: The renowned biologist E.O. Wilson further popularized the concept of consilience in his book Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. In this work, Wilson argued that various branches of science and human understanding should come together to form a unified body of knowledge, highlighting the unity and interconnectedness of scientific disciplines.

Works:

• Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge by E.O. Wilson: This seminal work by E.O. Wilson explores the concept of consilience and presents a compelling argument for the unity of knowledge. In the book, Wilson discusses how the convergence of scientific and intellectual pursuits across disciplines can lead to a more profound and coherent comprehension of the world, advocating for the integration of knowledge from various fields.

Arguments:

• The Unification of Knowledge: The central argument of consilience is the unification of knowledge. It asserts that knowledge should not be compartmentalized but rather integrated and interconnected across diverse academic domains. This integration leads to a comprehensive and coherent understanding of the world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different fields of study.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Consilience underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the synthesis of ideas from various fields. It promotes the idea that when scholars from different disciplines work together, they can achieve a more multifaceted and holistic approach to knowledge acquisition, leading to breakthroughs and deeper insights.
• Strengthening Epistemological Foundations: Consilience argues that when theories and evidence from different disciplines converge and mutually support one another, they collectively enhance the validity and reliability of knowledge. This strengthens the epistemological foundations of academic pursuits, making the resulting knowledge more robust and dependable.

Consilience and Literary Theories

1. Interdisciplinary Approaches: Consilience encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of knowledge from various fields. In the context of literary analysis, this can involve drawing from psychology, history, sociology, philosophy, and other disciplines to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a literary work. For example, a consilient approach might incorporate psychological theories to analyze the characters’ motivations or historical context to interpret the social and political themes within a novel.
2. Biographical and Contextual Analysis: Literary theories often involve examining an author’s life, historical context, and cultural influences to better understand their works. Consilience promotes the idea that these factors should be considered collectively to gain a richer interpretation of the text. By connecting the author’s biography with their social and historical context, scholars can provide more nuanced readings of literary works.
3. Cognitive Literary Theory: Cognitive literary theory, which explores the cognitive processes underlying the reading and interpretation of literature, aligns with the consilient approach. It combines insights from cognitive science, psychology, and literature to understand how readers engage with texts and how literary works evoke emotional and intellectual responses.
4. Literary Darwinism: Consilience is also relevant to literary Darwinism, which applies principles from evolutionary psychology and biology to the analysis of literature. This approach suggests that certain themes, narratives, and character traits found in literature can be understood as products of human evolutionary history. Consilience supports the idea that this interdisciplinary approach can provide valuable insights into the universality of literary themes and their connection to human nature.
5. Environmental Humanities: In the study of ecocriticism and environmental literature, consilience can be applied to understand the intersection of literature, science, and environmental issues. This approach recognizes the importance of integrating insights from ecology, environmental science, and literary analysis to explore how literature reflects and shapes our understanding of the environment and sustainability.

In essence, consilience promotes a holistic and interconnected approach to literary analysis. It encourages scholars to consider various perspectives and disciplines when interpreting literary works, thereby enriching the depth and scope of literary theories. This interdisciplinary approach can lead to more profound insights and a broader understanding of the complex relationships between literature, culture, and human experience.

Consilience in Literary Criticism

Novel	Critique
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman	– Psychological Analysis: Explore the psychological depths of the characters, including their motivations and fears. Analyze how the novel’s fantastical and dark world influences the characters’ mental states.   – Urban Studies: Examine the novel’s portrayal of London, particularly the subterranean world, and connect it to urban studies. Consider how this hidden London reflects urban issues such as marginalization, inequality, and the invisible parts of the city. – Mythology and Folklore: Investigate the novel’s use of mythology and folklore to shape its world. Analyze how Gaiman incorporates elements of British and international myth to create a unique narrative.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah	– Historical Context: Place the novel in its historical context, World War II, and analyze how it portrays the experiences of women during the war. Consider how the characters’ choices and challenges reflect broader historical realities. – Feminist Literary Criticism: Apply feminist literary criticism to assess the representation of women in the novel. Analyze how the two main characters embody different feminist perspectives and the novel’s commentary on gender roles. – Sociological Perspective: Examine the societal norms and expectations of the time and how they influence the characters’ decisions. Consider how the novel engages with sociological theories about war and its impact on communities.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes	– Philosophical Analysis: Investigate the philosophical themes of memory, time, and subjectivity in the novel. Analyze how Barnes engages with philosophical concepts of identity and perception. – Cognitive Literary Theory: Apply cognitive literary theory to understand how the novel’s narrative structure affects readers’ understanding and interpretation of the story. Explore the cognitive processes involved in piecing together the narrative. – Psychological Depth: Delve into the psychology of the main character, Tony, and how his memory and perceptions shape the story. Consider how the novel portrays the fallibility of human memory and its impact on our understanding of the past.
Middlemarch by George Eliot	– Sociological Perspective: Examine the societal dynamics and class structure depicted in the novel. Analyze how Eliot’s portrayal of the town of Middlemarch reflects sociological concepts of community and social change. – Feminist Literary Criticism: Apply feminist literary criticism to assess the representation of female characters, including Dorothea Brooke. Consider how Eliot challenges or reinforces traditional gender roles. – Historical Context: Place the novel in its historical context, the early 19th century, and consider how it reflects the social and political issues of the time. Analyze the novel’s commentary on reform, science, and the changing role of women in society.

Suggested Readings

1. Chalmers, Alan F. “Science and Its Fabrication.” Science, Technology, & Human Values, vol. 25, no. 2, 2000, pp. 204-225.
2. Wilson, Edward O. Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. Knopf, 1998.
3. Ziman, John. “Is Science Losing Its Objectivity?” Nature, vol. 394, no. 6688, 1998, pp. 339-340.
4. Ziman, John. Real Science: What It Is and What It Means. Cambridge University Press, 2000.