Uncanny

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Mori Uncanny Valley

Uncanny refers to a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness that arises when something is both familiar and strange at the same time. This concept is often associated with experiences that are difficult to explain or that defy logical understanding, leading to a sense of mystery or eeriness. The uncanny is a significant concept in psychology, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies, where it has been explored to understand the nature of human perception and the boundaries between the known and the unknown.

Etymology and History

The term "uncanny" is derived from the German word unheimlich, which Sigmund Freud famously analyzed in his 1919 essay "The Uncanny" (Das Unheimliche). Freud's work on the subject is foundational, linking the uncanny to the return of repressed fears or desires. He argued that the uncanny is experienced in instances where something familiar is rendered strange, such as in the case of doubles, ghosts, or inanimate objects coming to life.

In Literature and the Arts

In literature and the arts, the uncanny often manifests through stories and visuals that evoke a sense of the familiar being distorted. Gothic novels, horror films, and surreal art are fertile grounds for the exploration of uncanny themes. Characters like doppelgängers, haunted houses, and the animation of the inanimate are common motifs used to evoke the uncanny. Authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, E.T.A. Hoffmann, and more recently, filmmakers like David Lynch, have been noted for their ability to create works that deeply engage with the uncanny.

Psychological Perspectives

From a psychological perspective, the uncanny has been linked to the concept of the "uncanny valley" in robotics and artificial intelligence. This theory suggests that humanoid objects which imperfectly resemble actual human beings provoke uncanny or eerie feelings. The uncanny valley illustrates how the uncanny can arise from the tension between the familiar and the alien, particularly in the context of human-like robots or animated characters that approach, but do not fully achieve, lifelike appearance.

Philosophical and Cultural Analysis

Philosophers and cultural theorists have also engaged with the concept of the uncanny to explore themes of identity, otherness, and the limits of human understanding. The uncanny has been used to discuss the alienation experienced in modern society, the disruption of the familiar in the face of technological advancement, and the blurring of boundaries between reality and fiction.

See Also

• Sigmund Freud
• Gothic literature
• Horror film
• Surrealism
• Uncanny valley

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