Philosophy

In addition to Maxine Greene (see History page), Creating Landscapes has many intellectual and practical godparents. Most significant among them are American philosophers William James and John Dewey, educational psychologists Jerome Bruner and Howard Gardner, nineteenth century poet/scientist J. W. von Goethe, and twenty-first century neuroscientist/poet Antonio Damasio. Each has argued that aesthetic aliveness, full presence, 'wide-awakeness', and reflection are significant to a richer understanding of both self and world. Further, that the search for meaning is fundamental to human motivation and action and that doing science and making art are among the symbolic activities that human beings employ in the process of making meaning. When that process includes a felt emotional experience, the aesthetic dimension is present. It is our belief that the capacity for aesthetic experience is an aspect of our human endowment and is a cultivatable choice. Creating Landscapes is making that choice.

Jan Hyatt

March, 2012

Creating Landscapes Program Coordinator