A preview on an upcoming student dissertation defense on the aesthetics of living

Jesine Munson, a doctorate student in american studies, approached her dissertation, “Re-imagining John Dewey for the 21st Century: The Aesthetics of Living-Praxis for Social Utility,” by looking at what she would call the aesthetics of living. Simply put, seeing art and beauty in the way we live includes learning through art, but also, how a person goes about their day to day life. "As art and ethics are one, tapping into the aesthetics of living creates habits and values."

Every doctoral student presents a defense of their dissertation as a recognition of their hard work and research. It also serves as an opportunity for public questioning and formal evaluation. Munson will unpack her concept in her dissertation at the start of May. She spoke with the Exponent about her work and its influences. 

Munson is in the field of American studies, which looks at American culture and how history has impacted and shaped it. One impactful person for her work was John Dewey, an American psychologist and philosopher from 1859-1952. In his 90 years of life, he experienced the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Great Depression.

Intricately associated with the philosophical school of pragmatism, Dewey is Munson’s vector moving through many topics, including esthetics, education, experience and pragmatism. “John Dewey doesn’t fit within a specific discipline with a specific language. Which is also why he’s also the perfect candidate for american studies,” Munson said. 

According to The Ethics Center, a non-profit ethical inspiration group, the school of pragmatism rejects “metaphysical thinking and the traditional philosophical pursuits of truth and objectivity.” 

Pragmatism looks at the concept of truth in a new light. Munson said, “instead of thinking of truth as an ultimately achievable end where the facts perfectly mirror some external objective reality, pragmatism regards truth as functional or instrumental or [as] the goal of inquiry where communal understanding converges.”

According to Munson, Dewey’s ideas are all based on the transactions we have as organisms in our environment as it affects how we learn, respond and react. Hence, pragmatism would arise amid these ideas. “The result of the practice of pragmatism is habits.The habits that are created are a form of intelligence,” said Munson. 

Munson graduated with an MA in art history in the fall of 2015 and currently serves as an adjunct professor at the MSU School of Art. She explores her dissertation concepts well beyond her paper and applies Dewey’s ideas and pragmatic practices in the classroom. “Seeing the impact on learning formal analysis that helped my students with their critical thinking skills. Being able to describe a painting and understanding the context in which it was made, it opened this new realm for them,” Munson explains. “I was really interested in visual literacy and critical thinking and how we make a more engaged citizen.”

While Munson’s work on her dissertation and in the classroom keeps her busy it doesn’t stop there. Munson is the board president of the local non-profit Compassion Project, which she considers “the real gem” of her work. Founded in 2017, Compassion Project started in schools, and built workshops to teach through art and mindfulness. 

According to Munson, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the non-profit created online workshops geared towards caregivers, and health care workers. These workshops focus on giving professionals and non-professional caregivers an opportunity to take a break, and recharge. According to Compassion Project’s website, it aims at “teach[ing] and spread[ing] compassion through art and mindfulness.” 

According to Munson, the main means of communication of the Compassion Project is art, an instrument that is transformative. Learning by doing creates the importance of dialogue and brings in the idea of process over products, emphasizing art. 

“There are no words to describe how people are being transformed,” Munson said. “With the Compassion project, it can just be about compassionate dialogues and creating an environment in which people can feel like they can show up as their authentic, dynamic selves and feel safe, appreciated and valued.”

If you want to learn more about Munson’s thought process, keep an eye out for her dissertation defense at the start of May, or contact her via jesine.munson@gmail.com. 

If you are interested in the Compassion Project, you can find more information or become a member at https://www.compassionpject.org/programs.