On Allen Carlson's Environmental Model
Abstract
Allen • Carlson believes that the Western aesthetic appreciation of nature, there are two traditional modes - "object model" and "landscape mode." The former will be objects from the natural environment, isolated out of appreciation, a certain distance and angle from which to enjoy the static nature, are undesirable. He is based on "nature is nature," and "natural environmental" principles, to promote dynamic, comprehensive and investment style as a whole there is to enjoy the natural environment. "Environmental model" for the natural aesthetic epistemology Karlsson laid an important theoretical basis, a general theoretical significance. However, this three-mode is not as understood as Carlsson against each other, but can coexist, cooperate with each other. In terms of Allen Carlson's position, there are two traditions of aesthetic appreciation of nature in the West-Object Model and Landscape Model. The former means to appreciate natural object without its environments singly; while the later indicates enjoying nature from certain distance and view as well. Both of the two are incorrect. By virtue of the principle that nature is natural and nature is environmental, he promotes Environmental Model which implies appreciate nature dynamically, multi-sensuously and engagingly as whole environments. The concept of Environmental Model lays important foundation for Carlson's aesthetics of nature and has universal significance for any aesthetics of nature. However, the three models are not merely in contradiction, they can be co-existence and co-operation each other