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?