Martha Nussbaum implements an ambitious theoretical project: to demonstrate why moral philosophy remains incomplete when it disregards the contribution of literature to addressing issues of practice.

In the fifteen essays of the volume, she attempts to answer the Socratic question "How should one live?" arguing, among other things, for the reevaluation of the cognitive role of emotions, perception, and imagination, as well as the moral critique of literary works, which does not neglect the form and style of the narrative.

The entire volume is permeated by the issue of the potential conflict between a passionate experience, love, and the pursuit of overall moral concern for humanity.

"Anyone who wishes to understand the bidirectional relationship between literature and philosophy and how one influences the other should read this work carefully and study the author's positions thoroughly." Wayne Booth, Philosophy and Literature