Language and Reality

Vilém Flusser argues that language is not just a map of the world but also the driving force for projecting worlds and is at the service of its aesthetic. He explores a diverse range of research and ruminations on cybernetics, poetry, music, the visual arts, religion, and mysticism in Language and Reality, which can be seen as a transitional work in his emerging thought that would lead to his works in media theory, design, and digital culture.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 220 pages
\n Publication date: 24 April 2018
\n Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
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In his groundbreaking work "Language and Reality," originally published in 1964 in São Paulo, Brazil, Vilém Flusser delves deeper into the philosophical and theoretical realm of language. He begins to posit that language goes beyond being a mere representation of the world and becomes the catalyst for projecting and creating worlds. This interaction between language and its projections forms a dynamic feedback loop.

Flusser's thesis takes him on a fascinating journey, leading him to assert, in a seemingly overlooked exchange with Wittgenstein, that language extends beyond its ontological and epistemological dimensions. It serves a broader aesthetic purpose. By exploring a wide range of subjects, including cybernetics, poetry, music, the visual arts, religion, and mysticism, "Language and Reality" can be seen as a pivotal work in Flusser's evolving thought, laying the foundation for his later works in the 1970s and 1980s, which would profoundly impact the field of media theory, design, and digital culture.

Through his meticulous exploration, Flusser challenges the traditional understanding of language as a tool for communication and knowledge acquisition. He reveals that language possesses a creative and imaginative power that goes beyond its utilitarian functions. It can shape and transform the worldviews of individuals and societies. Flusser's work encourages us to reevaluate our relationship with language and to recognize its profound impact on our understanding of reality.

"Language and Reality" is a testament to Flusser's intellectual brilliance and his ability to bridge the gap between different disciplines. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and thinkers alike, offering insights into the complex interplay between language, reality, and the human imagination. By delving into the depths of language, Flusser invites us to explore new realms of thought and to reimagine the possibilities of our existence in the world.

\n Weight: 240g\n
Dimension: 127 x 193 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781517904289\n \n