From the ‘Genitive’ Modality to the Atmosphere: an Osmological Study in to Epistemic Space
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2724-2463/21430Keywords:
Olfaction, Neurocognition, Cross-Cultural Lexicon, Environmental Aesthetics, PsychogeographyAbstract
This paper foregrounds the ‘genitive’ modality of olfaction -the linguistic habit of naming a smell by referring to its source- as a fundamental structure for understanding the resistance of this sense to abstraction. Through a comparative analysis between Western lexical scarcity and the terminological granularity found in specific non-Western cultures, the study investigates the neurocognitive and philosophical rea sons for this ineffability. Starting from these foundations, the research outlines the intrinsically atmospheric character of smell, thereby analysing its connection to the concept of transition and its role as a socio-political indicator, capable of mapping and negotiating urban space. Integrating neuroscientific evidence, phenomenological analysis and ethnography, the article proposes a polyphonic frame work that elevates smell from a peripheral sense to a primary epistemic device for con structing and navigating lived atmospheres.
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Connor, S. (2016). On atmosphere. Recuperato da http://stevenconnor.com/on-atmosphere.html (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
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