The absence of effort to comprehend others deepens social conflict. Although technology promises diverse encounters, the influence of algorithms leads to society becoming one that feels discomfort with diversity, fostering social autism and subsequent divisions. This study, based on Martha C. Nussbaum’s theory of ‘Literary Imagination’, interprets the tendency to exclude or avoid others who are inevitably different as a deficiency in the literary attitude, which is the imagination of empathy. Consequently, it aims to explore the educational possibility of confronting ‘the discomfort’ inevitably arising when different individuals meet in educational settings, and reflectively transforming it to foster understanding of others. Literary imagination, the capacity to encounter individuals through narrative, becomes the starting point for public reasoning via ‘co-duction’ and the ‘judicious spectator’. As a concrete tool, the picture book acts as the optimal medium, safely mediating encounters with the ambiguous and strange other to activate imagination. The Community of Philosophical Inquiry (CPI) utilizes this mechanism to realize co-duction, critically examining discomforting emotions and inducing reflective transformation.
This research confirms that linking literary imagination and philosophical dialogue converts discomfort into an opportunity for public reasoning. This offers a new educational possibility that cultivates democratic citizens' reflective capacity to adequately cope with a rapidly changing world and complex issues, beyond mere understanding of others.

Authors:
Seung-gyeong Lee, Pusan National University, South Korea
Hoy-yong Kim, Pusan National University, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Ms.Seunggyeong Lee is currently an University Postgraduate Student at Department of Education, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea.
Her interests are relationship between literature and philosophy, philosophy of art, philosophical education

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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