Visual Alterity: Seeing Difference in Cinema

Randall Halle's book "Visual Alterity" explores how we become cognizant of each other and perceive and judge others in a visual field. He argues that there is no pure natural sight and that visual alterity goes beyond seeing difference to being conscious of how one sees difference. The book merges film theory with philosophy and cutting-edge science to propose new ways of perceiving and knowing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2021
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Reconsidering the dynamics of perception, Randall Halle delves into the intricate realm of visual aspects of alterity, exploring how we come to recognize and judge one another within a visual field. Drawing upon insights from philosophy and recent advancements in cognitive and neuroscience, Halle challenges the notion of pure natural sight, emphasizing that our perception is inherently shaped by various factors such as our vantage point, apparatus, and cultural conditioning. Throughout his analysis, Halle demonstrates how human beings have utilized cinema as a powerful tool for over a century to experiment with and manipulate the apparatus of seeing, pushing the boundaries of visual perception.

Visual alterity extends beyond mere recognition of difference to encompass a profound consciousness of the way we perceive difference. By investigating this process, we embark on a journey from mere perception to apperception, or conscious perception. Halle's innovative and insightful work seamlessly merges film theory with philosophy and cutting-edge science, offering fresh perspectives on perceiving and knowing. Through his exploration of visual alterity, Halle invites us to reevaluate our visual experiences and expand our understanding of the world around us.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252085680