Artikel

Het magisch-realisme als maatschappelijke categorie

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Abstract

The social significance of ,,magic realism” - Thisstudy is an attempt to define „magic realism”, not as a literary genre but as a way of life. It is argued that as a way of life, „magic realism” is a part of countercultural tradition. Countercultures can be described by using the three traditional philosophical categories: epistemology, ethics and aesthetics. Countercultural epistemology is characterized by its opposition to one-sided scientific rationality. Three types of opposition may be mentioned :anti-science in the romantic tradition, pseudo-science which claims that certain facts are ignored by institutionalised science and critical science which is an attempt to find a compromise between ethical principles and scientific research. „Magic realism” finds its place in both countercultural epistemology and aesthetics. It confronts us with other parts of reality, namely the magic and the mythical. The „magic life-style”, of which „magic realism” is a part reminds us that scientific rationality alone is not sufficient for a knowledge of the total reality. Characteristic of a „magic life-style” is the symbiosis of man and nature as opposed to the predatory cultivation of industrial culture. The human and non-human are capable of communication on a basis of equality. Along with magic, two other categories need revaluation. These are myth and mystery. The consequence of adopting such an attitude is twofold : a perception of reality that differs greatly from the scientific rationality approach and a scepticism with regard to rigid objectivity (in accordance with developments in quantum theory). Hubert Lampo, a Flemish author, representative of „magic realism”, can be seen as a proponent of the „magic life-style”. Indeed it is the author’s contention that „magic realism” itself is a life-style. In some of Lampo’s major essays, a critique is offered of institutionalized science in true pseudo-scientific fashion. The „magic realistic” novels confront characters and readers alike with other parts of reality: archetypes, parallel universes, space-time discontinuities, etc. This confrontation has a lasting effect on the characters involved in the sense that they trust the new reality and are willing to live in accordance with the new knowledge. „Magic realism” as it is observed in the novels of Hubert LAMPOcan thus be seen as an initiation into a magic perception of reality. To the reader, the novels are „initiation novels”.

How to Cite:

Caeldries, P., (1983) “Het magisch-realisme als maatschappelijke categorie”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 28(3), 169–186. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.94851