The attempt might be made to answer this question entirely in terms
of the psychology of association, only we should then be forced to
designate processes as associational which do not at all come under
the original definition of the word—namely, processes of fusing or
blending, which is not the bringing of a succession of disparate ideas
into special relations, but rather a unifying process, in which the
after-effect of past experience and the present perception blends to an
inseparable synthesis.
I select, then, as an example, the latest utterance of Lipps on the
impression produced by a Doric column, citing only those points which
seem to meet our purpose. He speaks first of the mechanical method of
regarding the column and then continues: “But another element follows
this naturally. Mechanical events external to us are not the only
things in the world. There are events lying nearer to us in every sense
of the word since they take place within us; and these are similar or
analogous to the external events. Moreover, we have the disposition
to regard similar things from the same point of view, and this point
of view is determined preferably by the nearest object. Therefore we
compare what happens externally with what happens in or to ourselves
and judge of it according to the analogy of our own experience.”
After remarking that such a method of observation is implied in such
expressions as “strength,” “aspiration,” etc., as applied to a column,
Lipps goes on: “Our satisfaction is not of the general kind which
applies to the universal idea of strength, effort, activity. Every
mechanical event has its special character or its special manner of
fulfilment. This may be easier, more untrammelled, or more difficult,
and requiring the overcoming of more serious obstacles; it may require
greater or less expenditure of ‘force.’ All this reminds us of our own
inner processes and evokes those, not indeed identical in character,
but analogous. It presents to us an image of similar effort on our own
part, and with it the peculiar personal sensations which accompany the
act. The mechanical event which seems to fulfil itself ‘with ease’
incites us to an equally simple and expeditious act; the violent
expenditure of vigorous mechanical energy, to an exertion of our own
will power, to which is added the feeling of lightness and freedom
proper to a self-originated act, and in other cases the not less
agreeable feeling of our own strength.” Omitting what intervenes I add
the conclusion of the treatise: “From the conditions indicated there
results not, indeed, the entire æsthetic impression produced by a Doric
column, but a considerable part of it. The vigorous curves and spring
of such a pillar afford me joy by reminding me of those qualities in
myself and of the pleasure I derive from seeing them in another. I
sympathize with the column’s manner of holding itself and attribute to
it qualities of life because I recognise in it proportions and other
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account