Re: [-empyre-] Accidents (was for example)

[eugenie <eugenies@onetel.net.uk>]

on 6/11/03 11:22 PM, Jim Andrews at jim@vispo.com wrote:

> We have memories of roses, but presumably this doesn't necessitate having a
> real rose in the brain. Instead, the brain stores representations of things
> and ideas and relations, etc.
> 
> The brain operates on representations, processes representations.

as yvonne noted in an earlier post, memory is embedded in the body as well -
think of auditory memories, olfactory memories (arguably, the most evocative
kind) ...

the brain, as you say, processes representations, but the body, if you like,
processes gestures. Merleau-Ponty uses the example of an organist practicing
on an unfamiliar instrument. An experienced organist, he argues, needs only
a short time to adapt to a new instrument, even though it may differ
considerably from the one he or she is used to playing. During this
preparation time, the organist does not memorize (i.e. create visual
representations) the new positions of each stop and pedal, nor does he or
she construct a representation of their relative positions in space. Rather,
the organist adapts to the new instrument by "[getting] the measure of the
instrument with his body, [incorporating] within himself the relevant
directions and dimensions, [settling] into the organ as one settles into a
house."  

andrew murphie makes much the same point in his post of 8 november

> How could it
> be any other way?

QED

eu