Emotions, Ethics, and Cinematic Experience: New Phenomenological and Cognitivist Perspectives

Phenomenology and cognitivism are two influential approaches to film theory that offer valuable insights into our subjective experience of cinema. Emotions, Ethics, and Cinematic Experience explores how these two approaches can be combined to create a philosophy of film that is both descriptive and theoretical.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 144 pages
\n Publication date: 01 June 2021
\n Publisher: Berghahn Books
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Since the early 1990s, phenomenology and cognitivism have emerged as two of the most influential approaches to film theory, offering profound insights into our subjective experience of cinema. While these two approaches may seem to diverge, they actually complement each other in illuminating the complex tapestry of cinematic emotions, ethics, and aesthetics. In his book Emotions, Ethics, and Cinematic Experience, film scholar David Bordwell explores the ways in which these two approaches can be reconciled to create a philosophy of film that is both descriptively rich and theoretically productive.

Bordwell begins by examining the nature of cinematic experience and how it differs from other forms of sensory experience. He argues that cinema is unique in its ability to create immersive and embodied experiences that engage our senses and emotions in ways that are not possible in other media. For example, the use of sound, image, and narrative can create a sense of presence and immersion that allows us to feel as though we are physically present in the world of the film.

At the same time, Bordwell recognizes the limitations of phenomenology as a theoretical framework for understanding cinema. Phenomenology focuses on the subjective experience of the individual viewer and emphasizes the importance of intuition and interpretation. However, Bordwell argues that phenomenology can be enriched by incorporating insights from cognitive psychology, which focuses on the mental processes that underlie our perception and interpretation of the world.

By combining phenomenology with cognitivism, Bordwell proposes a philosophy of film that is both descriptively rich and theoretically productive. He suggests that cinematic experience can be understood as a complex interplay between sensory and mental processes, with the sensory experiences of the viewer shaping their mental interpretations of the film. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the emotional and ethical dimensions of cinema, as well as the ways in which these dimensions are shaped by the cinematic medium itself.

One of the key insights of Bordwell's philosophy is that cinematic experience is not merely a passive process of reception but is actively shaped by the filmmaker's choices and techniques. The use of sound, image, and narrative can create specific emotional responses in the viewer, and the filmmaker can use these techniques to manipulate the viewer's emotions and create a particular ethical or political message. For example, the use of slow-motion, close-ups, and music can create a sense of tension and suspense that can be used to explore themes of power, violence, and morality.

Another important aspect of Bordwell's philosophy is the role of empathy and understanding in cinematic experience. He argues that cinema is a powerful tool for promoting empathy and understanding between different cultures and communities, as it allows us to experience the lives and experiences of others in a way that is both immersive and intimate. By creating films that explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences, filmmakers can help us to better understand and appreciate the diversity of the human experience.

In conclusion, Emotions, Ethics, and Cinematic Experience is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and innovative approach to film theory. By combining phenomenology with cognitivism, Bordwell creates a philosophy of film that is both descriptively rich and theoretically productive. Through his exploration of the relationship between cinematic experience, emotions, and ethics, Bordwell helps us to better understand the complex and multifaceted nature of the cinematic medium and its ability to shape our subjective experiences and perceptions of the world.

\n Weight: 334g\n
Dimension: 157 x 228 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781800731455\n \n