The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World

Abram, the author of The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World, is a cultural ecologist, geo-philosopher, and performance artist whose interdisciplinary work has influenced the environmental movement in North America and beyond. Known for his works Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology and The Spell of the Sensuous, he holds a PhD in philosophy from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and his academic achievements include being a summa cum laude graduate of Wesleyan University. Abram’s background is diverse and includes fellowships from respected institutions like the Watson and Rockefeller Foundations. Additionally, he was honored with a Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction. His expertise is not limited to academia; he is also an accomplished sleight-of-hand magician, which uniquely positions him to understand the nuances of perception and reality, a theme central to his work.

Abram’s significance lies in his ability to integrate his experiences with Indigenous magic and his ecological philosophy to challenge the disconnection between humans and the more-than-human world. His work is characterized by a sensitivity toward the natural environment and a lyrical prose style. In The Spell of the Sensuous, Abram intertwines his personal journey with a broader philosophical argument, urging a shift in perception toward a more embodied and reciprocal relationship with nature.