Rethinking Veridicality: Motor Response, Empirical Evidence, and Dance Appreciation.

The article focuses on the philosophical debate surrounding "motor response"—a term used to describe the motor phenomenology or bodily feeling evoked when watching dance—and its role in dance appreciation. It critiques prevailing accounts that treat motor response as an automatic, general, and veridical (accurate) perception mirroring the dancer's movements, highlighting a paradox where most spectators do not experience such responses despite regularly watching movement. The author proposes reconceptualizing motor response as a flexible, partly active process involving imagination or subtle bodily engagement, rather than a purely automatic one, allowing for varied and context-sensitive motor experiences distinct from the dancer's own sensations. This approach shifts the emphasis from strict veridicality toward responsiveness that aids understanding and appreciation of dance, accommodating differences in expertise and audience engagement.