Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Rudolf Laban

an interactive appropriation of parallels and resonances

Maureen Connolly

Anna Lathrop

pp. 27-45

in: Human Studies 20 (1), 1997.

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an examination of the shared connections between the French philosopher, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and the Austro-Hungarian movement theorist, Rudolf Laban.In many ways Merleau-Ponty's philosophy demonstrates a synthesis of the best in existen-tialism and phenomenology. In like manner, Rudolf Laban was a synthesizer of experiences and theories of movement.we propose to examine the parallels and resonances of their theory within the forum of a hypothetical, collegial conversation. This dialogue will be prefaced by an historical contextualization of their work and an explanation of the appropriate reading sensibility with which to enter our interpretation of their text. In this way, we hope to reveal (a) possible parallels and resonances between their theories concerning the body in perception and movement, and (b) possible connections between phenomenology and movement education.

Cited authors

Merleau-Ponty Maurice

Laban Rudolf