This thesis addresses the main question: why do we value the experience of engaging with fiction, through the sub-question: how can we avoid functionalism in answering the main question? First, the...Show moreThis thesis addresses the main question: why do we value the experience of engaging with fiction, through the sub-question: how can we avoid functionalism in answering the main question? First, the thesis introduces the distinction between functionalist and non-functionalist accounts. Secondly, it discusses an account – that of John Gibson’s – that comes very close to providing a non-functionalist account. Thirdly, it is argued that Gibson’s account still falls short of being non-functionalist. Lastly, the thesis proposes a positive view that relies on interpretation in explaining the value of our experience of fiction in non-functionalist terms.Show less