Cary Campbell - Simon Fraser University- Canada

Abstract: This paper examines how the Peircean concepts of „Firstness‟ and the related notion of „quale-experience‟ can illuminate certain aspects of the learning process not conventionally addressed; specifically the pre-interpretative stage of cognition. I propose that reflecting on „moments ofFirstness‟ can bring the addressee to a more phenomenological treatment of the particular experiences and qualities they are reflecting upon, and through this reflection induce them to address the fundamental qualities that drive later stages of interpretation. My aim here is to explore what stimulates engaged absorption and examine how this can be applied to form an „education of inquiry‟ that places reflection on this pre-interpretative stage in a central role.