impressionism

is a divergence from both positivism (i.e. Reality as in the object in the external world) and idealism (i.e. Reality in the internal world of the subject). Instead it mediates these extremes and posits the necessary existence of both subject and object, not from a dualist position, rather, the two merge such that their outlines blur.

In fact, impressionist representation lies neither solely with the subject nor solely with the object but rather in the space between the two.46 In this way, impressionism diverges from both positivism and idealism. Positivism saw reality in the object the external world. Idealism saw reality in the subject the internal world. Impressionism mediates these extremes and posits the necessary existence of both subject and object but not from a dualist position... rather, the two merge such that their outlines blur. In Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness,'' for example, Marlow transforms the space of the African wilderness into a dark and brooding expanse that holds the secret to the nature of human existence. At the same time, though, Marlow himself is transformed by his experience with that wilderness, and in this epistemological encounter it is impossible to tell for certain where Marlow's outlines end and those of the wilderness begin.

John G. PetersThinkers

John G. Peters