The reasons of the ghost: the principle of causality in fantastic short stories

Abstract

It is often argued that fantastic literature questions and deconstructs classic logic and classic metaphysics, including especially, the principle of causality. However, a deeper analysis of this claim reveals that there are still many issues open to discussion. Moreover, it would be even possible to affirm the opposite, i.e., that fantastic literature actually reveals the radical and mandatory nature of the classic metaphysical principles, including the principle of causality. By making use of some contributions from contemporary philosophical realism and G. Prince’s narratology, I
attempt to show the strong bonds that link fantastic discourse and classic metaphysics.
I believe that those bonds even vindicate the consistency of Aristotelian realism.