Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World
Brown University
Box 1837 / 60 George Street
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: (401) 863-3188
Fax: (401) 863-9423 [email protected]
Discussion Questions
What is the difference between space/spatiality and place/locality in the different authors? What differentiates place from other spatial concepts such as region, landscape, architectural space, open space, public space, etc? (Omur)
Yi-Fu Tuan's chapter on experience puts us in a good position to discuss the significance of multi-sensorial experinece of the world, spaces and places that we occupy, live in, pass through or experience. How do different senses in your experience contribute to developing a sense of belonging in place and evoking memories, and how does this work do you in healing places? (Omur)
Kant believed that human beings are "not only in places but ofthem." How is this explained by human perception and sensory inputs? What does he mean by perception and live body being in place in creating the notion of place? (Heeju)
How can a place be defined as home? What sets home and dwelling apart? Share how you perceive home and what home means to you. Also think about how intimacy relate to a place of healing. (Heeju)
Heidegger says, "Man acts as though he were the shaper and master of language. Perhaps it is before all else man's subversion of this relation of dominance that drives his nature into alienation" (144) and Tuan says, "It is not possible to look at a scene in general; our eyes keep searching for points of rest", are both authors getting at a very similar separation between human perception and the natural world and seeking to explain it? (Josh)
Philosopher Fredric Jameson is creditted in the Western World for the concept of cognitive mapping. Cognitive mapping suggests a shift from thinking within spatial location to thinking about spatial location so as attain perspective and clarity in understanding. Does the first, "thinking within spatial location" closely relate to Huan's chapter Attatchment to Homeland and does the second, "thinking about spatial location" represent what Huan himself is doing by explaining these attatchments? Those being discussed are not the ones explaining. (Josh)
When saying, "Experience is directed at the external world. Seeing and thinking clearly reach beyond the self"(9) isn't Huan making a rather large assumption that seeing and thinking, "reach beyond" and does he give any reason that seeing and thinking are not part of the external world. He later refences the Tao Te Ching in explaining attatchments, yet The Tao Te Ching also says, "The five colors blind the eye, the five tones deafen the ear, and the five flavors dull the taste" Does Huan work at large address or ignore these considerations? (Josh)