This book brings together researchers with cognitive-scientific and literary backgrounds to present innovative research in all three variations on the possible interactions between literary
studies and cognitive science. The tripartite structure of the volume reflects a more ambitious conception of what cognitive approaches to literature are and could be than is usually
encountered, and thus aims both to map out and to advance the field. The first section corresponds to what most people think of as ＂cognitive poetics＂ or ＂cognitive literary studies＂: the study
of literature by literary scholars drawing on cognitive-scientific methods, findings, and/or debates to yield insights into literature. The second section demonstrates that literary scholars
needn’t only make use of cognitive science to study literature, but can also, in a reciprocally interdisciplinary manner, use a cognitively informed perspective on literature to offer benefits
back to the cognitive sciences. Finally, the third section, ＂literature in cognitive science＂, showcases some of the ways in which literature can be a stimulating object of study and a fertile
testing ground for theories and models, not only to literary scholars but also to cognitive scientists, who here engage with some key questions in cognitive literary studies with the benefit of
their in-depth scientific knowledge and training.
