New Books Network Conceptual Digestion with Anya Daly
Sep 19, 2025
Dr. Anya Daly is a philosopher intertwining phenomenology, mind, and Buddhist thought. She shares her journey from law to philosophy, revealing how art nurtures embodied perception and fosters genuine attention. Daly challenges human exceptionalism through art's representation of animal lifeworlds. She also connects Indigenous relational ontologies with mental health frameworks, aiming to enhance well-being among Indigenous communities. Their conversation navigates through the rich interplay of perception, politics, and aesthetics.
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Nonlinear Path Into Philosophy
- Anya Daly describes paths into philosophy through law studies, psychiatric nursing, and early Buddhist practice.
- She raised three children while studying and later completed a PhD in France, which shaped her interests.
Art As Non-Conceptual Disclosure
- Art offers a non-conceptual way to disclose hidden aspects of the world, provoking surprise and political action.
- Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology aligns with art's capacity to transform both object and perceiver.
Kandinsky's Haystack Revelation
- Daly recounts Kandinsky's experience with Monet's haystacks where the concept evaporated into colour and form.
- She links this to Cézanne and Merleau-Ponty's idea that attentive perception can transform experience.
