At this point in the text, Dewey sets out to define what this ‘normal experience’ is that he has been constantly referencing. As he claims, “the nature of experience is determined by the essential conditions of life” (12). One of the first these is that life happens within an environment, more specifically through interaction with it. The tensions of life serve to drive a creature to find equilibrium between himself and the environment—such equilibrium allows form and order to occur. The loss of such integration with the environment and its later recovery “are materials out of which [one] forms purpose” (14).
There are only two environments in which esthetic experience cannot occur:
1) “In a world of mere flux, change would not be cumulative; it would not move toward a close. Stability and rest would have no being.” (15).
2) “…a world that is finished, ended, would have no traits of suspense and crisis, and would offer no opportunity for resolution. Where everything is already complete, there is no fulfillment” (19).
Yet, our world is one of change and culmination, so esthetic experiences can, do, and will occur.
I will end with the following quote that I will comment upon in a future post:
“Experience in the degree in which it is experience is heightened vitality. Instead of signifying being shut up within one’s own private feelings and sensations, it signifies active and alert commerce with the world; at its height it signifies complete interpenetration of self and the world of objects and events. Instead of signifying surrender to caprice and disorder, it affords our sole demonstration of a stability that is not stagnation but is rhythmic and developing” (18).
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"Active and alert commerce with the world" great concept. This idea of transaction between the person and world comes through in a lot of Dewey's work. Some very key points here. I wonder what we can do with this idea of making change something to embrace rather than to fear.
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