postspectralism

Postspectralism is a philosophical concept that emerged in the late 20th century, often discussed within post-structuralist and postmodern thought. It fundamentally questions the nature of perception and reality, particularly as it relates to the senses and the way we categorize and understand the world. The term suggests a departure from traditional sensory frameworks, moving beyond a binary understanding of visible and invisible, audible and inaudible.

Proponents of postspectralism argue that our sensory experiences are not simply passive receptions of objective reality but are actively constructed through social, cultural, and linguistic lenses. This means that what we perceive as "real" is often a product of pre-existing frameworks of meaning. The "spectral" aspect of the term refers to the idea that these frameworks leave behind traces or ghosts of past interpretations, influencing present perception.

The concept challenges the notion of a singular, stable reality, proposing instead a multiplicity of realities shaped by individual and collective experience. It is interested in the liminal spaces, the ambiguous, and the uncanny, where familiar categories begin to break down. Postspectralism encourages a critical examination of how our senses are trained and how these trainings limit or expand our understanding of what is possible. It can be seen as a call to deconstruct established perceptual norms and explore alternative modes of sensing and knowing.