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Why fiction is good for you

The beautiful lies of novels, movies, and TV stories have surprisingly powerful effects — and may even help make society tick

By Jonathan Gottschall

 |   

  April 29, 2012

We spend huge chunks of our lives immersed in novels, films, TV shows, and other forms of fiction. Some see this as a positive thing, arguing that made-up stories cultivate our mental and moral development. But others have argued that fiction is mentally and ethically corrosive. It’s an ancient question: Does fiction build the morality of individuals and societies, or does it break it down?

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