Sight and Sensibility: The Ecopsychology of Perception

by Laura Sewall

In the tradition of A Natural History of the Senses, an esteemed expert in ecopsychology shows how expanding the way we see the natural world can improve the way we relate to it.

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the connection between the human psyche and the natural environment. Fueled by a growing awareness of worldwide ecological degradation, an entirely new field of study, called ecopsychology, has emerged. At universities across the country, scientists are learning how the decline of our planet's environment affects not just our physical health but also our minds and emotions.

Laura Sewall, Ph.D., is one of ecopsychology's pioneers and an expert in the study of the visual process. In combining these fields, she has determined that the sense of sight is key to understanding and potentially reversing the effects of ecological destruction. In Sight and Sensibility--the first book on ecopsychology for lay readers--Sewall draws on her fieldwork studying the visual behavior of baboons and teaching vision improvement to trace the evolution of human sight and the cultural development of different ways of seeing. She shows how we can restructure the neural networks that determine how we see, awaken to visual patterns and depth perception, and learn to see more of the world around us.

A contemporary companion to John Berger's classic Ways of Seeing, Sight and Sensibility is a dazzling blend of science, psychology, and poetry.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology, Nature, Nonfiction, Writing, Earth

First published October 4, 1999

Reviews

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sight and Sensibility is a very nice audit on seeing and perception. From an aerial view on vision to a primer on how the eye works, the author navigates the theme very well. She makes an admiral connection between nature and sight. She takes most of the book to do so, but it's worthwhile. Essentially she says that nature is something we see and even enjoy as a backdrop rather than something that we are 'in' and 'of'. I enjoyed her perspective on the fact that what we actually see is conditioned in some ways I would add "programmed" by our culture, gender, experience and other personal factors. What are the implications of this as we engage others in life? The implications as to how we have understood life, others, history, etc.? Her viewpoint on how sight and perception works is quite informative. Particularly what we notice, how we focus, and what we choose to pay attention to.

However, she lost me halfway through the book as she began describing her many walks in the mountains, meadows, and woods. I can only take a very detailed description of how her bare feet felt as they touched the ground and her skin absorbed the bug-filled forest once or twice. I get the point the first time... ok, maybe by the second dull narrative. After recounting more than half a dozen experiences I napped for several days... between each one. Maybe that's why it took me so long to finish the book. Or maybe I'm not at the place where I can see or experience nature to it's fullest yet. My senses may not be that developed. Or maybe I begin to tune out when I hear about others seeing God better, themselves better, experiencing life more fully only when they withdraw from the city and/or other people. Can we not see and experience nature in the 'hood? How it reveals itself through the cracks in the streets and sidewalks? Through the rich colors of its diversity? Through the noise of humanity? Through the silence of the rich and wealthy? I believe we can, and some of us do.

Overall a very good book. I will read it again.

[Dani Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot rave about this book enough. It is incredibly well researched and seems to distill the main pearls of wisdom from so many great thinkers (especially Arne Naess, Theodore Roszak, David Abram, Joanna Macy, and so many more). I was left feeling as if I could see differently and with some practical things I can do to encourage that different sight. Sewall is obviously someone who practices what she preaches and I so appreciate the application of theory rather than just the philosophy. A main purpose of this work was to discuss different ways to look at the Earth so as to create a connection that Sewall (and many others) believes we've lost. She talks about falling in love with the Earth and how eyesight aids in this endeavor. She is a scientist and psychologist, specializing in the neurobiology of sight, so this book is fascinating in so many different ways.

If you have interest in sustainability, spirituality, the senses, psychology, mysticism, deepening your connection with self and others, you should read this book. Truly, it has changed my life in ways that I don't understand yet, but I'm so excited to keep discovering them.

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book rambles a bit, but it is still an excellent book for someone trying to understand eco-psychology.

[Jason Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most excellent examination of the role perception plays in our lives... highly recommended for anyone doing diagnosis (especially TCM or psychological), anyone interested in mindfulness or meditation designed to increase awareness/ perception... i intend to buy several copies -- one for myself, another to lend, some as gifts...