This paper is a philosophical reflection around the concept of a cultural trait. A trait is any perceptible or intangible characteristic aspect. In addition, to be cultural, a trait must not be intentional or part of a plan, and its diffusion and repetition - even when initially intentional - must elude control. Traits are inseparable from a cultural space and power relations that are the source of their value, and that govern their spread. Consequently, cultural traits - like “the style of a period” - can only be recognized a posteriori and at distance. Traits can be mapped in different ways, but a map is no simple object. Maps can vary along two dimensions: dynamic-static and conceptual - perceptual. Some maps are schemas or diagrams. Classifying the maps used by Zenni to illustrate the history of jazz, and comparing them with analog maps from the 1970s, I show how maps depend from the observer’s (cultural) ideas. Some maps evidently express a search for hierarchy and origins. But, in contemporary philosophy, the question of the origins constitutes a problem. For Michel Foucault, history is not a search for the origin, on the contrary, it must “dispel the chimera of the origin”, because passion for the origin is functional to reassurance or self-reassurance, and there are no single origins.

Carmagnola, R. (2016). Maps Diagramas and Charts: Making the Cultural Trait Visible. In F. Panebianco, E. Serrelli (a cura di), Understandig Cultural traits. A MUltidcisciplinary Perspective on Cultural Diversity (pp. 161-178). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-24349-8_10].

Maps Diagramas and Charts: Making the Cultural Trait Visible

CARMAGNOLA, REMIGIO PIERO FULVIO
2016

Abstract

This paper is a philosophical reflection around the concept of a cultural trait. A trait is any perceptible or intangible characteristic aspect. In addition, to be cultural, a trait must not be intentional or part of a plan, and its diffusion and repetition - even when initially intentional - must elude control. Traits are inseparable from a cultural space and power relations that are the source of their value, and that govern their spread. Consequently, cultural traits - like “the style of a period” - can only be recognized a posteriori and at distance. Traits can be mapped in different ways, but a map is no simple object. Maps can vary along two dimensions: dynamic-static and conceptual - perceptual. Some maps are schemas or diagrams. Classifying the maps used by Zenni to illustrate the history of jazz, and comparing them with analog maps from the 1970s, I show how maps depend from the observer’s (cultural) ideas. Some maps evidently express a search for hierarchy and origins. But, in contemporary philosophy, the question of the origins constitutes a problem. For Michel Foucault, history is not a search for the origin, on the contrary, it must “dispel the chimera of the origin”, because passion for the origin is functional to reassurance or self-reassurance, and there are no single origins.
Capitolo o saggio
Diagram; Foucault; Origin as “chimera”; Power/cultural space; Repetition; Style;
English
Understandig Cultural traits. A MUltidcisciplinary Perspective on Cultural Diversity
Panebianco, F; Serrelli, E
2016
978-3-319-24347-4
Springer International Publishing
161
178
Carmagnola, R. (2016). Maps Diagramas and Charts: Making the Cultural Trait Visible. In F. Panebianco, E. Serrelli (a cura di), Understandig Cultural traits. A MUltidcisciplinary Perspective on Cultural Diversity (pp. 161-178). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-24349-8_10].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/109100
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