Aesthetic experiences in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna): contributions to environmental education practice and research

Abstract

In this paper, we reflect on a study in Brazil’s Cerrado that attempts to address a lack of attention to an aesthetic dimension in environmental education practice and research. We start by tracing this lack to the overvaluing of the cognitive sphere in the educational process, noting its echo in the low aesthetic value attributed to the Cerrado biome. Then, through reflecting on an empirical, interview based study of sensations, perceptions and feelings evoked by aesthetic experiences in the Cerrado, we draw on insights from a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to identify key themes for environmental education research and practice in this regard. These include: recognising the singularity of experience; attending to the qualities of experience; acknowledging the value/s of ‘lighter’ and ‘darker’ experiences; and deepening emotions and verbal communication. In our final considerations, we discuss the limitations of the study, alongside new directions in studies of perception, experience, aesthetics and pedagogy that may also advance attention to an aesthetic dimension in environmental education practice and research.

Keywords:

• Hermeneutic phenomenology
• Brazilian savanna (Cerrado)
• experience
• aesthetics
• environmental education

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the participants who accepted the invitation to be interviewed in this investigation. We would also like to thank Edna Kunieda for drawing the figure presented in this paper. We also thank Monash University for hosting the principal researcher and for this collaborative opportunity for cross-cultural studies and dialogue.

Notes

1. The words and phrases that refer to these elements appear in bold in the transcript extracts from the interviews presented here.

2. Based on Merleau-Ponty (1962), we consider that the body’s position in the world is integrated as a circuit between the body, the other and things, i.e. the body as a sensitive sentient.