[xmca] catharsis and category

[Andy Blunden <ablunden@mira.net>]

I have been watching Nikolai Veresov's videos on vimeo. I refer to No. 2 
in particular: http://vimeo.com/groups/chat/videos/10226589
In this talk, Nikolai is explaining his view of the development of 
Vygotsky's theory of the development of the high mental functions 
through the appropriation of social functions, and in doing so, he 
appears to be mistaking the English word "category" for the English word 
"catharsis."
This is very interesting, because one of the hurdles we have to overcome 
to understand "perezhivanie" involves a word translated into English as 
"catharsis" (and it is this meaning that I presume Nikolai is talking 
about), which is an important part of the process of development 
initiated by a perezhinvanie, which on its own, without "catharsis" (or 
reflecting upon the personal dramatic episode), will not stimulate 
development.
Nikolai also places a lot of emphasis on the dramatic metaphor being 
used by Vygotsky in his explanation here, which makes a lot of sense in 
relation to the way I understand the meaning of perezhivanie. As an 
aside, I should note that Nickolai seems to be giving some credence to 
David Ke's suggestion about the meaning of the Russian word translated 
as "plane" in a theatrical context, and something akin to a theatrical 
stage, rather than a stage on a journey.

I wonder if one of our Russoglots could offer some advice here. What is 
this Russian word variously translated as "category" or "catharsis"?

Andy
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Andy Blunden*
Joint Editor MCA: 
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g932564744
Home Page: http://home.mira.net/~andy/
Book: http://www.brill.nl/default.aspx?partid=227&pid=34857
MIA: http://www.marxists.org

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