Does Aesthetic Appreciation of Landscapes Need to be Science Based? Holmes Rolston III

Myths, Folklore, and Natural History Volcano – Volcano – Tectonic Plates vs. Pele Tectonic Plates vs. Pele Grand Canyon – Grand Canyon – Geology vs. Talwoats Geology vs. Talwoats Mountains – Mountains – Geology vs. Man’s Sin Geology vs. Man’s Sin All of these examples show an aesthetic appreciation of nature without a scientific basis.

Eye of the Beholder English Garden vs. Japanese Garden Cultural Differences cause us to view different landscapes as Aesthetically Pleasing. Is one of these two locations aesthetically better?

Beholder cont… Rolston says both of his parents enjoyed nature Rolston says both of his parents enjoyed nature His mother had no knowledge of the landscape His mother had no knowledge of the landscape His father knew the watershed, and what crops grew where, and when His father knew the watershed, and what crops grew where, and when Yet, Both enjoyed the Landscapes. Yet, Both enjoyed the Landscapes. “No aesthetic response is more or less correct than any other”

Beyond the Eye Science helps us see what is objectively there. Science helps us see what is objectively there. Frames ideas of time and space beyond perception Frames ideas of time and space beyond perception Cultivates a habit of close inspection Cultivates a habit of close inspection Corrects for errors Corrects for errors “Badlands” and “Lonely Places” “Badlands” and “Lonely Places”

Beyond the Eye cont. Knows his land. This man has studied all available information about the environmental and geological process of his environment Knows his land. This man has lived off of the land for his entire life, and has practical knowledge of how the environment acts as a whole, though he does not know the reasons why it does so.

Scenery and Artform, Ecology and Evolutionary History. Rejects Formalism Rejects Formalism Landscape and Object models don’t allow for participation Landscape and Object models don’t allow for participation Devalues those things that are not classically beautiful Devalues those things that are not classically beautiful Deserts and Tundras Deserts and Tundras Burned or Dead Logs Burned or Dead Logs Rotting Trees and Fungi Rotting Trees and Fungi

“You’ll Love the Rockies” Expectations based on knowledge Expectations based on knowledge Monotony Monotony Too many trees and too few kinds Too many trees and too few kinds No balance and color. No balance and color. Understanding leads to appreciation Understanding leads to appreciation “When you understand the harshness of … an alpine climate, you will find the plant’s clinging to life aesthetically stimulating.” “When you understand the harshness of … an alpine climate, you will find the plant’s clinging to life aesthetically stimulating.”

Environment, Ecology, Nature, and Landscape Environment Environment The immediate surroundings of an organism The immediate surroundings of an organism Ecology Ecology How a specific environment works How a specific environment works Nature Nature Entire system of overlapping environments Entire system of overlapping environments Landscape Landscape Section of land seen from a specific place. Section of land seen from a specific place.

My Environment vs. The Environment My Environment My Environment Only exists when viewed Only exists when viewed Borders are relative to me Borders are relative to me I am, therefore, a part of it I am, therefore, a part of it The Environment The Environment Sum total of all the “my environments” Sum total of all the “my environments” Has no horizons Has no horizons “It constitutes me” “It constitutes me”

Scientific, Participatory Environmental Aesthetics Aesthetic Experiences should be Science Based, but also Science Transcending Aesthetic Experiences should be Science Based, but also Science Transcending Science Enriches Landscapes Science Enriches Landscapes Gives a better understanding of what is taking place Gives a better understanding of what is taking place Shows us aspects of which we were formerly unaware Shows us aspects of which we were formerly unaware Helps us evolve our Sensitivity to Beauty Helps us evolve our Sensitivity to Beauty Find beauty in things that are not classically so. Find beauty in things that are not classically so. Deconstructs Myths and misconceptions Deconstructs Myths and misconceptions “We have to be realists, at least enough to survive” “We have to be realists, at least enough to survive” But, there must be something more…

Conclusions Science and Participation come together to create a “Richer Aesthetic Experience” Science and Participation come together to create a “Richer Aesthetic Experience” Our environments overlap and interact Our environments overlap and interact Demythologize, but realize that “the full story of natural history is phenomenal.” Demythologize, but realize that “the full story of natural history is phenomenal.” Participatory knowledge in the environment leads to a fuller understanding of this phenomenal natural history of the world, and therefore a “Richer Aesthetic Experience” Participatory knowledge in the environment leads to a fuller understanding of this phenomenal natural history of the world, and therefore a “Richer Aesthetic Experience”