Feeling and Form

1 Course Unit

This seminar explores the relationship between feeling and cultural form (linguistic and/or artistic). The course builds on the work of philosopher Susanne Langer (especially her 1953 book, Feeling and Form and her foundational work, Philosophy in a New Key), as well as linguistic anthropologist Edward Sapir’s formulation of “the instinctive feeling of language for form” (Language, 1921: 58). Coming out of the tradition of symbolic logic, Langer wrote (1953: 40): “Art is the creation of forms symbolic of human feeling.” During the semester, we will explore research on a range of artistic forms, especially as these forms have been investigated by anthropologists. The art forms will include music, painting, sculpture, architecture, dance, drama, and poetry/literature. While sampling a range of anthropological writings, we will inquire in each case into Langer’s claim that such forms are symbolic of feeling. The course is appropriate for students whose research interests include the study of expressive forms and/or feeling in relation to form. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit