Philosophy Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2014

Publication Source

Dance Research Journal

Abstract

This paper provides an account of improvisational artistry in live dance performance that construes the contribution of the dance performer as a kind of agency. Andy Clark’s theory of the embodied and extended mind is used in order to consider how this account is supported by research on how a thinking-while-doing person navigates the world.

I claim here that while a dance performer’s improvisational artistry does include embodied and extended features that occur outside of the brain and nervous system, this can be construed as “agency” rather than “thought.” Further I claim that trained and individual style accounts for how this agency acquires its artistic nature.

This account thus contributes to the philosophy of improvisation in dance performance in a way that includes motor as well as cognized intentions.

Inclusive pages

85-94

ISBN/ISSN

0149-7677

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download is the author’s accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher’s policy on self-archiving.

Some differences may exist between the manuscript and the published version; as such, researchers wishing to quote directly from this resource are advised to consult the version of record.

Permission document is on file.

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Volume

46

Issue

1

Place of Publication

New York, NY

Peer Reviewed

yes

Link to published version

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