I pick an action and try to identify the presence and relationships of Philosophy, Art, Craft, & Science within it. Locking the door to one’s apartment. Overall I feel that the two categories that have the most presence in this action are Philosophy and Science. First, Philosophy, in gauging how much contemplation and/or thought-process goes into and behind performing the action of locking the door to one’s apartment. Several thoughts can come up while performing the act and even after the act, such as:
- Is the door really locked? – (Questioning if the action has been done or not, or just the factor of doubt or paranoia)
- Did I leave anything on? (Appliances, lights, TV,…the iron)
- Do I have everything that I need with me, before I leave?
- Am I doing this right?
- Different problem-solving thought processes to lock it successfully.
- If you live with someone else or several persons (perhaps roommate in this case of an apartment), will they be by later on during the day to get in/do they have their key (with them)?
- Is this the right key?
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Second, Science, in reference to the knowledge and skill of executing the action:
- Turning the key clockwise or counterclockwise.
- The way to hold the key.
- Which end of the key goes into the lock.
- Unlocking multiple locks which may be on the door(s).
- Working a chain lock on the door.
- Locking the door technique of pulling the door towards oneself to have the lock be successful (like apartment MY door)
- Jiggling the doorknob or pushing the door to see if each is actually locked after the action.
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As far as Craft and Art, I believe after some thought that they have little or nothing to do with this particular action, Craft being a process in which something is produced and to be utilized by someone, etc. You could say that a product of locking one's apartment door could be the locked door, therefore the safety of one's possession, living space, etc. Any OTHER "product" is unknown to me at this point...In reference to Art being a process in which you express the Self, the use of imagination, etc. - locking a door has nothing to do with creativity/self expression. It is a normal, mundane chore that one does everyday throughout their life.
About Me
- ローラ
- I'm a graphic designer, married to a Japanese chef. We live in the States now and also lived in Mie, Japan for 1 year, and miss it every day. We're just living from day to day, working towards better things, and trying to keep our sanity in the process!
1 comment:
On philosophy of locking doors: overall, the main question is ethical: is it right to lock (or not lock) the door? What conditions effect the locking (or not) of a door? What conditions should/could/would change relative to locking the door.
On craft in locking doors: Craft is precisely repetition of a task. Locking doors, as you say, is mundane and habitual: yes, usually... but this is precisely the craft aspect of locking a door. The "product" is a locked, rather than an unlocked, door. One might also refer to the craft of production of locks and keys, not to mention doors.
On art in locking doors: ANY act may be self-expression, even locking doors. If one is aware of what one is doing (or even perhaps not) and deliberately locks a door as a matter of style, or locks a door "with style" it could be said to be art. In another sense, if art is self-expression, but not necessarily CONSCIOUS self-expression, then the expession of the self though habitual gestures, which includes such actions as locking doors, may be understood as a form of art.
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