Understanding the Umwelt From the Page to the Stage

Author

April Wagner

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Theater, Animal Behavior, Umwelt

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The Umwelt, as coined by Jakob von Uexkull, is a complex and baffling term that refers to the subjective realities of other animals. In this thesis it is my desire to explore the concept of the Umwelt, and in doing so come to a better understanding of its meaning. In the first section I look at the Umwelt theory in regards to its biological, semiotic, and philosophical implications. I highlight the empirical ways in which von Uexkull approached his Umwelt studies and stress the importance for modem day ethologists to do the same thing. In the second section I take a different approach to understanding the Umwelt and suggest that the stage, or theater in general, is a viable place to represent the subjective realities of other animals. I propose an alternative form of Umwelt penetration called Umwelt Theater.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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