ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the philosophical framework of the study. It discusses how the phenomena of niche construction and affective scaffolding contribute to our overall experiential lives. More specifically, it identifies various dimensions along which the scaffolded mind can vary, namely, elemental structure, temporality, reciprocality, individuality and collectivity, trust, individualization and entrenchment, and intent. Within this multidimensional framework, the spotlight will be fixed on the type of painting that exhibits synchronic reciprocality between an active individual agent and an affective resource that is sufficiently distinct and reliably efficacious with regard to the agent’s desired feelings. To conclude, the chapter discusses some of the limitations of the proposed philosophical perspective and, based on this, motivates the need for a complementary approach to affective scaffolding in painting.
