Book Sharing: The Right to Dream (Volume 8 of Gaston Bachelard's Collected Works) written by Gaston Bachelard
On the evening of 21 March 2025 (Friday) at 7:30 PM, the institute hosted a book talk on aesthetic thought in art. The event featured Associate Professor Dr. Pua Shiau Chen, who guided participants through The Right to Dream (Volume 8 of Gaston Bachelard's Collected Works).
Why would a professor of physics and chemistry shift his focus to art and aesthetics? This stems from Bachelard’s unique understanding of empirical science and humanistic rationality. For him, the two are not binary opposites—because the subjects of scientific inquiry are themselves constructed, born of human imagination and creativity; neither can be neglected. He believed that the faculty of imagination better satisfies the profound needs of the human soul.
Through Bachelard’s analyses of works by Monet, Chagall, and Rimbaud, Professor Pua sought to help the audience grasp his aesthetic philosophy. To Bachelard, the lived world is not merely what limited human perception takes it to be; rather, it contains countless relationships waiting to be rediscovered. How, then, can we perceive and uncover them? By engaging our imagination and returning to "childhood" and "nature"—and the works of these poets and painters serve as exemplary guides.
The book talk attracted around 30 attendees, offering participants a valuable platform for learning and intellectual exchange.
