Art and Imagination: A Study in the Philosophy of Mind by Roger Scruton (review)

Books 159 structure of molecular organization in this unusual little book. Written expressly for a first year university course in chemistry, it has a fascination that laymen and artists can enjoy. It begins with a fine introduction discussing the basic concepts of symmetry, a valuable prelude to the main content of the book that contains stereoscopic-pair line and point drawings developed with the aid of a digital computer. The usual sterile-looking flat representations of molecular diagrams are given a stunning 3-dimensional quality. The authors intend their drawings to be viewed with parallel stereo vision, which is easily done with the stereoviewer deviceprovided in the bookjacket. However, if one views these drawings with ‘free-vision’ [Leonardo 7,99 (1974)],somevery interesting results may be obtained, which, if unintended by the authors, are very significant to those who make stereo art works. With ‘free-vision’, one can easily accommodate the intended parallel fusion of the paired figures, but, if one views them with ‘cross-vision’[cf. Fig. 5 in Leonardo 7, 99 (1974)], a novel and equally interesting effect, stereoinversion , is produced. This visual deception, termed ‘pseudoscopic’, results in the entire stereoscopic visual field being inverted, so that what is normally seen as very distant is now seen as very close. Fortunately for artists who might draw inspiration from this book, the authors have assembled line and point stereo constructions that have particularly rewarding spatial inversion possibilities. They present enantiomorphic pairs that, because of their simple radial, bi-lateral and regularly ordered symmetry, are susceptible of being seen stereoscopically convex or concave. Extraordinary stereo effects can be developed for all manner of visual forms that can be inverted [cf. Figs. 6(a) and (b) in Leonardo 7, 99 (1974)l. Any of the stereo pairs in the book also can serve as the basis for developing large-scale systemic crystallographic stereopaired arrays. It is a pleasure to find in this book an exposure to the hidden aspects of the shape of visual structures in nature beyond the capacity of photography and of the electron microscope. For stereo artists these beautiful stereo figures suggest a means of developing 3-dimensional constructions with the aid of digital computers. The special significance of this book is that, while it promotes an understanding of symmetry and appreciation for the spatial structure of molecules, it is visually enjoyable and a treasure trove of 3-dimensional stereo drawings. Cultural Policy in Italy. Studies and Documents on Cultural Policies Series. Unesco, Paris, 1971. 81 pp. Paper, US $2.00; f0.60; FF8,OO. Reviewed by Nino Calos* This is a survey prepared under the auspices of the Italian National Commission for Unesco. It states that ‘government action in the cultural sphere is a comparatively new development’ as regards the realization in Italy of the ideal of social justice. There has been considerable progress in reaching this objective since World War 1 1 , but there is a large gap in the progress made in the north and south of Italy and in the urban and rural areas. Oneshould note that Milan, Rome, Naples, Turin, Genoa, Florence, Palermo and Bologna now contain one-third of the total population of the country. The new Italian Constitution (1947) stipulates that the development of culture shall be promoted and it pronounces the principle of freedom in the practice and the teaching of art and of science. Further, the need to promote closer ties between the humanistic and scientific cultures is recognized. Measures have been taken for the protection of the artistic patrimony and institutions have been established to promote student exchanges. There have been significant contributions to the development of culture by private institutions, such as publishing houses. The bibliographical journal Libri e riviste d’ltaliu (Italian Books and Periodicals) published by the State in five languages, includes information on the activities of cultural institutions. The development of culture is benefitting alsofrom private education, prizes for literature, study grants and foundations. Foundations were provided with a measure of tax relief in 1968. In 1962a law instituted free compulsory lower-secondary education, financed by the State, with a new syllabus including subjects such as scientific observation, art, aspects of technology and music...