197374

Springer, Dordrecht

2018

136 Pages

ISBN 978-3-030-02969-2

SpringerBriefs in Philosophy

Arnheim, Gestalt and media

an ontological theory

Ian Verstegen

This monograph presents a synthesis and reconstruction of Rudolf Arnheim’s theory of media. Combining both Arnheim’s well-known writings on film and radio with his later work on the psychology of art, the author presents a coherent approach to the problem of the nature of a medium, space and time, and the differentia between different media. The latent ontological commitments of Arnheim’s theories is drawn out by affirming Arnheim’s membership in the Brentano school of Austrian philosophy, which allows his theoriesto be clarified and strengthened, particularly with the metaphysical writings of Roman Ingarden. The resulting theory is relational, portraying essential medial differences with neutral criteria and allowing for a rigorous definition of a medium. The way in which a medium is based on the inherent dispositions of medial materials creates a highly appealing theory that is determinate without being deterministic. The theory is thus highly timely as people in media studies seek to address the determinate nature of media after the post-medium condition. The book will appeal to researchers and graduate students in cultural and media studies as well as architecture and design.

Publication details

Full citation:

Verstegen, I. (2018). Arnheim, Gestalt and media: an ontological theory, Springer, Dordrecht.

Table of Contents

Gestalt ontology

Verstegen Ian

15-30

Open Access Link
What all media share

Verstegen Ian

31-43

Open Access Link
Defining difference in media

Verstegen Ian

45-61

Open Access Link
Medial composites

Verstegen Ian

113-131

Open Access Link
Conclusion

Verstegen Ian

133-136

Open Access Link

This document is unfortunately not available for download at the moment.