looking at: “modes of symbolization” by nelson goodman and “philosophers and the dance” by...
TRANSCRIPT
Looking at: “Modes of Symbolization” by Nelson Goodman and “Philosophers and the Dance” by David Michael Levin
Prepared by: Smeli Porterfield and Adrienne Chuck
Edited by: Dr. Picart and Donna Gallagher
Aims of Session
• Overview of Goodman’s articles “Modes of Symbolization” and “Afterword”
• Class Activity to understand Goodman’s article
• Overview of Levin’s article “Philosophers and the Dance”
• Discussion of themes from articles
Key Concepts and Terms
• Symbols
• Resemblance
• Representation
• The “innocent eye”
• Expression
Symbols• “Symbol” is a general term used by
Goodman to include– Letters, words– Texts– Pictures, diagrams– Maps – Models– and more (excluding implications of the
oblique and the occult)
Resemblance & Representation
The “Innocent Eye”
Expression
Art and Science
• According to Goodman’s article, must a picture resemble an object in order to represent, or be a symbol of, that object?
• Are facial expressions and emotions displayed with unity throughout different cultures?
• According to Goodman, what do the movements of modern dance exemplify and what do they absolutely not exemplify?
Three Elementary Species of Reference
• What is meant by the Kantian dictum that states: the innocent eye is blind and the virgin mind empty?
Key Concepts and Terms
• Lack of Dance as a subject for philosophy
• Role of Patriarchal Western Society
• Role of religion on how we view our bodies
• Dualism
• Phenomenology
• Three levels of critical interpretation
• What gender issues are prevalent in the realm of dance?
Patriarchal Roots of Dance
• According to Levin, what effect does the Christian view of crucifixion have on our views toward the body?
• How does the idea of dualism relate to the question of Dance in Philosophy?
• Why does Levin see phenomenology as being a hope for bringing Dance into philosophy?
• What are the three levels of critical appreciation and interpretation Levin states must be involved in an adequate philosophical approach to a work of art?
• Where do you see dance headed as a topic for philosophical discussion? Do you think Levin was right in thinking phenomenology will be the door opener to this field?