The role of chance in Paul Ricoeur's 'Time and Narrative'

Abstract

In this chapter on 'Time and Narrative' I consider the role of chance and the aleatory within Ricoeur's narrative architectonics. Contrary to the structured and apparently programmatic aspects of Ricoeur's position within this three-volume work, I elaborate an aleatory reading of his position, emphasising the previously unacknowledged role of chance and the 'uniquely unique' within his narrative philosophy. This pivots upon a re-reading of Ricoeur's interpretation of Aristotle, alongside biographical details from Ricoeur's war time experiences. I argue for the importance of the aleatory to Ricoeur's narrative philosophy concluding that Ricoeur's ethics are a response to uncertainty