Relevance and Aesthetic Perception

Abstract

One of Aron Gurwitsch’s most important philosophical claims is that every moment of conscious life is structured in a theme, thematic field, margin pattern.1 This thesis allows no exceptions. Regardless of who you are or what you are doing, this is how your field of consciousness is organized. That which is presented as the center or focus of attention is the theme. That which is presented as relevant to the theme is the thematic field. That which is presented as irrelevant to the theme is the margin.