Predicting instabilities: an embodied perspective on unstable experiences with art and design.
Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences January 29, 2024 Claudia Muth, Claus-Christian Carbon 11 citations
Predictive Processing (PP) theory suggests that perception works to make sensations predictable by updating predictions or seeking new experiences. This paper argues that art perception differs from problem-solving because people engage with contradictory elements without aiming to resolve them. The authors propose that experiences of 'Semantic Instability' (SeIns)—where perception is challenged by multiple possible meanings—can themselves generate aesthetic pleasure and interest. They update an earlier account of SeIns by adopting an embodied and situated view of perception and cognition, and discuss how embodied versions of PP might explain why such unstable but insightful sense-making processes are motivating and enjoyable.