Practicing Mortality: Art, Philosophy, and Contemplative Seeing

by Christopher A. Dustin, J. Ziegler

A collaborative undertaking between an artist and a philosopher, this monograph attempts to deepen our understanding of 'contemplative seeing' by addressing the works of Plato, Thoreau, Heidegger, and more. The authors explore what it means to 'see' reality and contemplate how viewing reality philosophically and artfully is a form of spirituality. In this way, by developing a new conception of active visual engagement, the authors propose a way of seeing that unites both critical scrutiny and spiritual involvement, as opposed to simple passive reception.

268 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very complicated to rate this book. When the book is "on' it is easily a five star effort. The authors try to hard to redeem or rehabilitate "difficult" thinking/writing. That effort grinds things into two star territory. One could easily, if disingenuously, apply the same generosity to *all* endeavors. In some sense this is the same criticism I bring to Derrida - if one labors long enough, gets philological enough, and is tenacious enough one can read against any grain. This strikes me as particularly strange given the notion of craft in this book.

This book is still a refreshing challenge. And it challenges in fundamental ways. It is deep - and to even describe something that way in these times is challenging. Highly, highly recommended, but one has to be open in some sense to what is being revealed before beginning reading and that is its first challenge.

[Samantha Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I need to go into the woods for a few months with this book...very interesting stuff.