Jonathan Gottschall is an American literary scholar, author, and cultural critic, widely recognized for his work exploring the evolutionary and psychological underpinnings of storytelling. He is a prominent figure in the field of evolutionary literary criticism, which seeks to understand literature and narrative through the lens of human evolutionary biology and cognitive science.
Biography and Career Jonathan Gottschall earned his Ph.D. in English from Binghamton University (State University of New York). He subsequently held a position as a Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College, where he taught literature and composition. His academic career has been characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, bridging the humanities with the sciences, particularly evolutionary psychology and neuroscience. Gottschall frequently contributes to popular discourse through articles in publications like The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Scientific American.
Major Works and Ideas
Gottschall's research primarily focuses on the universal nature and function of storytelling in human societies, often arguing that narrative is a fundamental human adaptation.
- The Fictive Animal: Literary Theory and the Scientific Study of Fiction (2007): This book explores the biological and psychological foundations of fiction, arguing that our engagement with stories is not merely a cultural phenomenon but deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. It proposes a scientific framework for understanding literature.
- The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human (2012): Often considered his most influential work, this book synthesizes findings from neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology to argue that humans are fundamentally "storytelling animals." Gottschall posits that stories serve vital social and psychological functions, helping us to navigate the world, practice social scenarios, transmit cultural values, and even cope with reality. He explores how stories influence our behavior, morals, and perception of self.
- The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch (2015): In this work, Gottschall delves into the evolutionary roots of male aggression and the universal fascination with combative sports and fictional violence. Combining personal narrative (his own experience training in mixed martial arts) with academic research, he explores how ritualized violence and competitive displays serve complex social functions, from establishing dominance hierarchies to providing outlets for aggressive impulses.
Themes and Research Interests Gottschall's work consistently explores several key themes:
- Evolutionary Literary Criticism: Examining how human evolutionary history shapes our creation and consumption of narratives.
- Biopoetics: The study of aesthetic behaviors from an evolutionary perspective.
- The Universality of Storytelling: Arguing that storytelling is a fundamental, cross-cultural human trait.
- The Function of Fiction: Investigating how stories contribute to human survival, social cohesion, moral development, and psychological well-being.
- Human Nature and Violence: Exploring the biological and cultural factors influencing aggression, competition, and our engagement with conflict narratives.
Significance Jonathan Gottschall is significant for his role in popularizing and advancing the interdisciplinary field of evolutionary literary criticism. His work challenges traditional approaches to literary study by integrating scientific perspectives, offering new insights into why humans create and consume stories. He has made complex academic ideas accessible to a broader audience, contributing to a deeper understanding of the biological and psychological dimensions of human culture and creativity.
Bibliography (Selected Works)
- Gottschall, J. (2007). The Fictive Animal: Literary Theory and the Scientific Study of Fiction. Northwestern University Press.
- Gottschall, J., & Wilson, D. S. (Eds.). (2005). The Literary Animal: Evolution and the Nature of Narrative. Northwestern University Press.
- Gottschall, J., S. S. Johnson, & J. Carroll (Eds.). (2008). Literature, Science, and a New Humanities. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Gottschall, J. (2012). The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- Gottschall, J. (2015). The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Penguin Press.