That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.

The quote "That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith." by Samuel Taylor Coleridge refers to the mental and emotional process by which readers or audiences temporarily accept the unbelievable or fantastical elements in a work of art or literature. Coleridge coined this phrase to describe how, in order to enjoy and engage with fiction, especially poetry or imaginative works, one must suspend judgment and allow oneself to believe in the narrative, even if it defies logic or realism. This momentary acceptance is what he calls "poetic faith."

The term "willing suspension of disbelief" highlights the intentional and voluntary nature of this mindset. The reader knows that what they are experiencing may not be factually true, yet they choose to engage with it emotionally and intellectually for the sake of appreciating the artistic truth or emotional resonance behind the story. This concept is especially crucial in literature that includes supernatural, mythical, or fantastical elements, as it allows audiences to embrace the narrative world without constant skepticism.

Coleridge, a leading figure of the Romantic movement and author of works like The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, introduced this idea in the context of his collaboration with William Wordsworth in Lyrical Ballads (1798). He used the phrase to describe how readers could engage with the extraordinary and unrealistic aspects of his poems if the human emotions and truths within them felt genuine. Thus, "poetic faith" becomes a bridge between imagination and emotional truth.

Ultimately, Coleridge’s quote has become foundational in literary theory, emphasizing that the power of storytelling lies not only in its factual credibility but in its ability to evoke truths of the heart. It reminds us that through the suspension of disbelief, we open ourselves to deeper experiences of beauty, wonder, and insight—hallmarks of what Coleridge believed poetry should inspire.