Useful Fictions: Evolution, Anxiety, and the Origins of Literature

Frontiers of Narrative

by Michael Austin

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live," Joan Didion observed in  The White Album . Why is this? Michael Austin asks, in  Useful Fictions . Why, in particular, are human beings, whose very survival depends on obtaining true information, so drawn to fictional narratives? After all, virtually every human culture reveres some form of storytelling. Might there be an evolutionary reason behind our species' need for stories? Drawing on evolutionary biology, anthropology, narrative theory, cognitive psychology, game theory, and evolutionary aesthetics, Austin develops the concept of a "useful fiction," a simple narrative that serves an adaptive function unrelated to its factual accuracy. In his work we see how these useful fictions play a key role in neutralizing the overwhelming anxiety that humans can experience as their minds gather and process information. Rudimentary narratives constructed for this purpose, Austin suggests, provided a cognitive scaffold that might have become the basis for our well-documented love of fictional stories. Written in clear, jargon-free prose and employing abundant literary examples--from the Bible to  One Thousand and One Arabian Nights  and  Don Quixote  to  No Exit --Austin's work offers a new way of understanding the relationship between fiction and evolutionary processes--and, perhaps, the very origins of literature. Named an Outstanding Academic Title for 2011 by CHOICE Magazine. 
"My hope is that Austin's persuasive, approachable book will allow those reluctant to entertain the notion of universals and biology a chance to see that doing so does not mean engaging in that misnomer social Darwinism. Austin's book is a must read."--Kathryn Stasio,  The Eighteenth A Critical Bibliography

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Psychology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

I am an English professor who became an administrator who dreams of being a political pundit. After eleven years teaching English and writing books like this, I accepted a position as the Provost and Academic Vice President at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. All the while, though, I dreamed of being a talking head. Soon after moving into administration, I started to write the Founderstein Blog, which examines contemporary politics from a historical perspective. My most recent book is That's Not What They Meant Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America's Right Wing, a 75,000 word op-ed piece that treats the misuse of history by conservative politicians and media personalities.

Reviews

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what people are talking about when they discuss evolutionary psychology? This can be a complex and challenging field for newcomers, but Austin's book serves as a very accessible introduction to the field. By using literature to define and illustrate principles from evolutionary psychology, this book entertains while it explains. And if you or anyone you know struggles with anxiety, this book gives a great explanation for why primitive peoples with anxiety were selected for survival over their more laissez-faire contemporaries. So if you want to give very smart reasons for justifying being high strung, here is a book with references you can quote at cocktail parties: "I'm jumpy, therefore I am." Filled with insight, research and a few real witty zingers--and very easy to read.

[Birdbath Birdbath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

In the last line of the book Austin states, "It is [the] utility of fiction — more even than truth or beauty — that must structure and support our universal attraction to literature."

If I had read the above quotation before I read the book, I probably would not have read the book because I don't want to agree with its assertion. But the book fed my soul (how's that for fiction?).

Austin uses examples from literature, nature, biology and psychology to create an engaging and digestible book. Some examples Austin uses from literature include One Thousand and One Nights, Hamlet, The Country Wife, Robinson Crusoe, and Don Quixote. Some examples he uses from nature include the cuckoo bird, butterflies, guppies, apes, and shrimp. I learned as much about stories I had never read as I did about why they, and other fictions, are useful, in the biological sense.

A fascinating and engaging read that I recommend without hesitation. Now what (fiction) to read next?

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I was severely skeptical about the premise of this book, the evolutionary explanation for our [human’s] love of stories, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by Austin’s arguments. Austin starts by defining what it is that he is seeking and explanation for as well as by acquainting the reader with both the previous work in favor and against this idea. He then goes on to make a brilliant argument for the evolutionary advantage for our love of the non-factual and along the way manages to analyze some of the world’s literary cannon’s best works as well as introduce the reader to some works that ought to be better known. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it for those reader who love literature as much as they love science.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dense in the beginning, but once it got going I found the ideas fascinating. A compelling and provocative take on storytelling's pull.