In 1995, Martha Nussbaum published 'Poetic Justice,' a work that defends the role of literary imagination in fostering empathy and narrative understanding essential for democratic citizenship. Nussbaum argues that engaging with literature, particularly novels and poetry, cultivates moral and emotional capacities that are crucial for participating in a democratic society. Her insights have influenced both literary criticism and ethical philosophy, emphasizing the intersection of culture and civic responsibility.

Martha Nussbaum's publication of 'Poetic Justice' provided a robust philosophical defense of literature's role in cultivating democratic empathy. This reinforced the moral and civic value of the poetic imagination, influencing poets to engage with social issues and the human experience in their works.