!VAR HAGENDOORN

The Sublime Nearby

05.02.2011

This weekend a storm batters the coast near where I live. I always like to go to the beach with this kind of weather. Last summer I walked all the way to the end of a pier near the harbour. I got soaking wet, but it was great fun. When a big wave smashes into the rocks and sprays all over the pier the water hits you with some force. Add to this the strong wind and you have to fight your fear not to turn around and go straight back to the safety of the beach. This mixture of pleasure and fear is exactly what in philosophy is referred to as the sublime. Burke, Kant and Schopenhauer wrote extensively about the sublime and storms feature prominently in their illustrations of the concept.

Unfortunately my sensation at the pier doesn't render well in photos. Besides, you're most likely sitting safely behind your computer (or iPad) as you read this.