Taylor Edmund February 13, 2011 PHIL 450 Prof. Hettinger On being moved by nature: between religion and natural history Noël Carroll

Introduction Focuses much of his writing on Allen Carlson Establishes Carlson’s view about the appreciation of nature Explains Carlson’s framework for his viewpoints Proposes his concerns with Carlson’s models Illustrates his preliminary arguments

Science By Elimination Carroll explains and presents his problems with each of Carlson’s models for appreciating nature. Object Paradigm Landscape or Scenery Model Environmental Paradigm Carroll deciphers and raises questions against Carlson’s arguments.

The Object Paradigm Guides our attention to certain aspects of nature Frames on nature are either insensitive or inoperable Missing the whole landscape picture with frames Missing the experience of being “amidst” Nature

The Landscape or Scenery Model Nature as a landscape painting Fine art as a precedent Still missing the actual beauty in nature

Environmental Paradigm Nature as Nature Natural expanses Includes all natural forces This guides us to the “appropriate foci” of aesthetic significance Knowledge about science, natural history, and common sense

Science by Elimination Conclusion Wants to make a connection between the guidance to natural appreciation and the guidance to art appreciation. Rejects both, the object paradigm and the scenery paradigm So if not this, or this, then it only leaves science so that must be the answer.

Carroll On Science by Elimination Thinks both theories can co- exist Appreciation does not require knowledge Involves our sense experience The Arousal Model, operative cognitions, and rooted in the commonsense knowledge

The Claims of Objectivist Epistemology Some aesthetic judgements of nature are objective Explanation of the Categories of Art theory Not helpful when it comes to nature Appropriate or Inappropriate emotions If all things are equal.... “Wrong Class Comparison” Depth of an Aesthetic Appreciation

Carroll on Objectivist Epistemology Appreciation without accurate knowledge Emotionally moved by things relative to ourselves Being moved by nature satisfies Carlson’s epistemological challenge What makes responses shallow or deep is not clear Equally as important as scientific appreciation and natural history

Order Appreciation Design Appreciation Order Appreciation Design Appreciation doesn’t work for nature appreciation Religious sentiment

Carroll on Order Appreciation Not design or order appreciation, not guided by art history or natural history Requisites for natural appreciation? Still closing off types of appreciation Appreciation because of survival instinct? Should not be viewed as a religious response

Summary Carlson closes off different kinds of appreciation according to Carroll Carroll believes we can be emotionally moved by nature Appreciation does not require knowledge or correct information This form should co-exsist with Carlson’s

Questions for Discussion What would he say about everyday appreciations of nature? Are we drawn in to focus on things we lack? Do we grow to appreciate things once we are not surrounded by them? (i.e. the feeling of coming home)

Works Cited Kemal, Salim, and Ivan Gaskell. Landscape, Natural Beauty and the Arts. Cambridge [England: Cambridge UP, Print.