Dewey and the Aesthetic Unconscious: The Vital Depths of Experience

John Dewey was a twentieth-century American philosopher known for his naturalistic theory of "experience" that re-grounded philosophys search for truth in the needs of life. Bethany Henning argues that classical American philosophy implicitly recognizes an unconscious dimension of mind distinct from Freud's theory, which found its fullest expression in Dewey's theory of aesthetic experience. This dimension of mind illuminates the continuity between nature and culture and provides us with an account of why artwork is often successful at communicating meanings from the ecological and intimate dimensions of life, where discourse often fails.

Format: Hardback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

John Dewey, a renowned and actively engaged American philosopher of the 20th century, left an indelible mark on the philosophical landscape. His naturalistic theory of "experience" sparked innovative approaches to education and democracy, while also re-establishing the pursuit of truth within the context of the shared and lived realities of life. However, interpretations of Dewey's philosophy following the linguistic turn have either obscured or disregarded the significant emphasis he placed on the non-discursive aspect of experience. In her book, Dewey and the Aesthetic Unconscious: The Vital Depths of Experience, Bethany Henning makes a compelling argument that classical American philosophy implicitly acknowledges a distinct unconscious dimension of mind that diverges from Freud's theory. While the unconscious that emerges within American thought has never been systematically explored, it finds its fullest expression in Dewey's work, particularly in his theory of aesthetic experience. This dimension of mind illuminates the profound connection between nature and culture, offering a valuable account of why artwork is often adept at conveying meanings from the ecological and intimate realms of life, where discourse often falls short. As the relationship between humans and the organic world emerges as the central question of our time, the aesthetic unconscious emerges as a valuable resource for our ecological and intimate well-being.

Weight: 445g
Dimension: 227 x 161 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793620217