Husserl's Phenomenology: Method of Philosophizing

Summary

This video script delves into Husserl's phenomenology, a method of philosophizing that seeks to understand the essence of phenomena as they appear to our consciousness. It contrasts the natural attitude, where reality is perceived as separate from experience, with the phenomenological attitude, which employs 'epoché' to bracket assumptions and uncover the true nature of reality. The script explores the phenomenological reduction and 'eidetic reduction', aiming to describe the pure essence of experiences without preconceptions, emphasizing the intentionality of consciousness and its active role in interpreting our experiences.

Takeaways

• 📚 Phenomenology is a method of philosophizing that seeks to understand the nature of consciousness and the world as it appears to us through our subjective experiences.
• 🤔 The phenomenological method was developed as a critique to the Cartesian methodic doubt, emphasizing the intentional nature of consciousness that is always conscious of something beyond itself.
• 👀 Husserl, the forerunner of modern phenomenology, argued against Descartes' view, asserting that the thinking subject is always aware of the world outside of itself.
• 🔍 Phenomenology is etymologically the study of phenomena, which are anything that exists and of which the mind is conscious.
• 🌐 The phenomenological method involves a 'reduction' process, which brackets or suspends preconceived notions to focus on the pure experience of phenomena.
• 🧐 Phenomenological reduction aims to strip away assumptions and get to the essence of phenomena, leading to a deeper understanding of the world as it is experienced.
• 🔄 Eidetic reduction is a technique used in phenomenology to understand the essence of an experience by varying its attributes and identifying what is truly necessary for it to be what it is.
• 💭 Imaginary variation is a method within eidetic reduction that explores the necessary features of an experience by altering its possible attributes.
• 🔮 Intentionality is a key concept in phenomenology, indicating that consciousness is always directed towards something, acting as an ongoing referential process.
• 🌟 The phenomenological attitude involves a shift in perspective that allows for a pure description of phenomena as they are given in experience, without preconceptions.
• 📈 The implications of phenomenology include the realization that consciousness is active and that our immediate, lived experiences take precedence over the objectified world of natural sciences.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this edition of the daily whiteboard?

The main topic is the phenomenological method of philosophizing, specifically focusing on the key concepts in Husserl's phenomenology.

What is the historical background of phenomenology mentioned in the script?

Phenomenology originated as a critique on Descartes' methodic doubts and was developed further by Edmund Husserl as a way to understand the nature of consciousness and the world as it appears to us.

What does the term 'phenomenology' etymologically mean?

Etymologically, phenomenology means the study of phenomena, derived from the Greek words 'phenomenon' meaning appearance and 'logos' meaning reason or study.

How does Husserl's phenomenology differ from Descartes' methodic doubt?

While Descartes doubted everything to find certainty in the self, Husserl affirmed the existence of a world outside of the self and focused on understanding the world as it appears to consciousness.

What is the significance of the phrase 'back to the things themselves' in phenomenology?

The phrase 'back to the things themselves' signifies Husserl's call for a return to pure description of phenomena as they appear to us, without preconceptions or hypothetical speculations.

What is the 'phenomenological reduction' and its purpose?

The phenomenological reduction is a method of suspending or bracketing preconceived notions about a phenomenon to gain an understanding of its true nature. It transforms the world into a phenomenon and leads us back to the source of the meaning and existence of the experienced world.

What is 'epoché' in the context of phenomenology?

Epoché is the act of suspending or bracketing all preconceived notions and prejudices about a particular phenomenon under study, allowing for a pure examination of the phenomenon.

What is the difference between perception and intuition in phenomenology?

Perception is being conscious of an object without necessarily understanding its meaning, while intuition is an insight into the nature and meaning of something through the experience of that something.

What technique does Husserl use to understand the essence of an experience?

Husserl uses 'eidetic reduction' which involves a method known as 'imaginary variation' to explore what is truly necessary for an experience to be what it is.

What is the concept of 'intentionality' in Husserl's phenomenology?

Intentionality in Husserl's phenomenology means that consciousness is always an act of doing something and is always referential, pointing or referring to something in the world.

What are the implications of doing pure phenomenology according to the script?

The implications include the realization that consciousness is fundamentally intentional, meaning it is always about something and that our immediate, lived experience takes precedence over the objectified world of Natural Sciences.