View

Sight is usually the most important sense to orient oneself. The crucial role of having a good view for a successful orientation is reflected in the everyday language of orientation: the alignment of attention is articulated primarily by the word field of seeing, viewing, and sighting. One has to view the situation, scan it, spot anything conspicuous, and, at the same time, select what is relevant in it. When sifting the situation, orientation focuses, i.e. it centers, concentrates itself and distinguishes between center and periphery (chap. 4.1). Having gained an overview of the circumstances of a situation, one is able to overlook everything that is relevant in this situation. When one overlooks (übersehen) something, one paradoxically both sees everything and misses all the particular details. Orientation then has to oscillate between focusing and defocusing to gain an overview that enables it to make something of it (chap 4.3). One can distinguish between aspects (Hinsichten), intentions (Absichten), views (Ansichten), consideration (Rücksicht), circumspection (Umsicht), precaution (Vorsicht), foresight (Weitsicht), supervision (Aufsicht), insight (Einsicht), indulgence (Nachsicht), and confidence (Zuversicht) (chap. 4.4). They are specific virtues of orientation.

12, 35-50, 59, 97, 111-112, 122, 139-140, 149, 160, 183, 188-190, 225, 235-238, 247, 263, 268, 281

 

Glossary

Reinhard Mueller