Love & Philosophy #43: Environment is Not in the Head: Why everyone's talking about Affordances with Harry Heft
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Dec 19, 2024 Harry Heft, a legendary figure in environmental and ecological psychology, delves into the concept of 'affordances' and its profound implications. He traces the roots from William James to J.J. Gibson, advocating for a relational understanding of perception. The conversation highlights how children’s interactions with their environment reveal the dynamic nature of affordances. Heft also discusses the significance of educational experiences in fostering environmental awareness, emphasizing that teaching should be an act of love that shapes informed, responsive citizens.
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Relational Thinking
- We can think relationally, not dualistically, about perception and action.
- Immediate experience points to both the experiencer and the experienced, rejecting dualism.
Affordances Defined
- Affordances are opportunities for behavior, varying based on an organism's body and environment.
- Affordances are neutral, offering both beneficial and detrimental opportunities.
Heft's Entry into Environmental Psychology
- Harry Heft's interest in psychology stemmed from Earth Day and a desire to understand human-environment interaction.
- He was frustrated with psychology's treatment of the environment as either purely physical or subjective.
