Attention

Paying more or less attention is orientation’s way of dealing with unsettlement. Attention is essential to life in order to face dangers and to be aware of favorable opportunities. As an attitude, a state of tension, it for the most part is and must be without a particular focus because it is unknown where dangers and opportunities may originate.

In orientation, most things happen unnoticed. Only a few things attract special attention breaking the attention thresholds that block out most irritations and thus ensure orientation’s undisturbedness. This kind of focused attention usually only lasts for a short time and then, if not voluntarily sustained, involuntarily digresses back into general vigilance (chap. 3.3 and 8.4).

3, 10, 19, 32-38, 56-59, 69-70, 88, 97, 102-103, 111-113, 119-122, 137, 151-152, 193, 195, 197, 215, 218, 227, 229, 239-240, 243-244, 249, 254, 277-279

 

Glossary

Reinhard Mueller