Foreword 4

The fourth edition of this web-site is (finally) here and previously only indicated social or cultural aspect of our cognitive processes got its shape, as well as the thought, the knowledge and the consciousness did. (I have to admit that I was a little surprised how well it fitted with the overall picture I'm trying to articulate.)

The picture I am painting is far from finished and I doubt that it will ever be to a satisfactory degree - but I am making a progress. The basic concepts not only survived the test of time, they are also strengthened by each new dimension added.

My research continues in fine arts - music, painting (especially early and some contemporary), acting (theatre, film and TV) that proved to be immensely rich source of information although quite difficult to articulate. (These are quite different cultures than cultures of scientists or philosophers for example - and many bridges are waiting to be build.) The performing art of acting, especially psycho-physical lore Stanislavski established, brings a wealth of insights into our "subjective" everyday experiences. For example, how our body postures impact the way we perceive our surroundings, think and act. Our perception, thoughts, feelings and acts (or non-acts) become thus a single unit of a whole-body experience where the perception, the feeling, the thought and the act are only four aspects of it. In other words - thinking is a whole-body activity - not restricted to activity of our grey substance we call brain. When we consider our environment - this line of thinking leads me to suggest that we should not consider our body as separate from our environment. Here, the concept of "our description of the world and ourselves within it" seems to be particularly relevant for it establishes an universe that is at the same time within us and among (outside of) us - our environment.

The discussion group related to this site, proved to be quite beneficial. It provided a much needed feedback that I hope improved the ways I articulate my thoughts on this site and inspired me to solidify basic concepts by going into depths of previously only indicated dimensions. (Almost all additions to this edition are based on my posts to the group that were sometimes direct or indirect replies to posts of other members.) The activity of the group subsided lately, but I hope that this edition will bring in new members and raise the quality of discussions to new heights.

I hope that these pages of mine will inspire your imagination and curiosity. Any suggestions, comments or criticism are always welcome and please do not hesitate to point out any discrepancies you notice.

Damir Ibrisimovic

Sunday, 10 April 2005