CHAPTER 2: Aesthetics in Academics and Classrooms: How Perception Works and Can be Taught

The ARTs program is based on expanding what it means “to think” and “to know.” Conventionally, “to think” and “to know” means to think cognitively and figure out problems through our rational mind. More specifically, cognitive rationality is dedicated to what is called indexical thinking. Think of “indexical thinking” as putting down on numerous index cards what you know and then arranging them in a file drawer in particular ways. To do this involves categorizing and logically aligning bits of knowledge into larger wholes which are bound together through the logic used to assemble them. Indexical thinking is said to be organized and systematic, making it the most reliable kind of thinking we can do. Compared to it, all other sorts of thinking and knowing are considered less valuable.