Atmosphere and Taste, Individual and Environment

Abstract

The relationship between the human being and their environment has been investigated in many ways during the 20th century. In the following chapter, I will address the topic by focusing on the way that has conceived of such relationship in terms of atmosphere. I will claim that, in order to provide a proper clarification of the human-environment relationship, the concept of “atmosphere” has to refer to that of “taste”. First of all, I will wonder whether these two concepts are incompatible. Secondly, I will compare the two original theories of atmosphere. Thirdly, I will argue for their need for a concept of “taste”. Finally, I will discuss the first systematic though non-philosophical usage of the concept of “atmosphere”, strictly related to that of “taste”, in order to show the relevance of the latter for atmospherology. Two