What is Phenomenology?

Summary

Phenomenology, initiated by Edmund Husserl in the early 20th century, explores reality as subjectively experienced. It seeks to describe universal features of consciousness while avoiding assumptions about the external world. Key concepts include phenomena—things as they appear—and intentionality, the idea that consciousness is always directed toward something. Influenced by philosophers like Franz Brentano and Martin Heidegger, phenomenology emphasizes careful descriptions of experiences and the essence of objects through eidetic reduction. This philosophical movement has significantly shaped contemporary discussions on consciousness and human experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Phenomenology is a philosophical movement that studies reality as subjectively experienced, focusing on how phenomena appear to consciousness.
• 📚 The term 'phenomenology' derives from Greek, meaning 'that which appears' and 'study', and is defined as the science of phenomena.
• 🧠 Edmund Husserl is considered the founder of phenomenology, emphasizing the importance of describing experiences without presuppositions about the external world.
• 🔍 Husserl's *Logical Investigations* critiques psychologism, arguing that logic cannot be reduced to psychological states.
• 🌌 Martin Heidegger expanded phenomenology into 'fundamental ontology', exploring the meaning of being and influencing existentialism.
• 👤 Jean-Paul Sartre's *Being and Nothingness* offers a phenomenological account of consciousness, freedom, and human relations.
• 🤔 Intentionality, a key concept in phenomenology, indicates that consciousness is always directed towards something, whether real or imaginary.
• 🚫 Phenomenological reduction involves bracketing assumptions about the independent existence of the world to focus on pure experience.
• 🔄 Eidetic reduction is a method used to identify the essential natures of objects by varying their attributes and identifying what remains constant.
• 📈 Contemporary interest in phenomenology draws significantly from Husserl's work, influencing various scientific disciplines and philosophical inquiries.

Q & A

What is phenomenology?

Phenomenology is a philosophical movement that studies reality as subjectively experienced. It investigates the universal features of consciousness, focusing on describing phenomena as they appear to the subject.

What does the term 'phenomenon' mean in the context of phenomenology?

The term 'phenomenon' comes from the Greek word meaning 'that which appears.' Phenomenology is thus defined as the science of phenomena, focusing on how things appear to consciousness.

Who is considered the founder of phenomenology?

Edmund Husserl is regarded as the founder of phenomenology. His work established the agenda for the phenomenological movement in the early 20th century.

How did Franz Brentano influence Husserl's work?

Franz Brentano influenced Husserl by asserting that philosophy must commit to the description of what is given in direct self-evidence, which Husserl adopted in his phenomenological approach.

What is the significance of 'intentionality' in phenomenology?

Intentionality refers to the notion that consciousness is always directed towards something. It indicates that consciousness is about something, whether real or imaginary, and is a cornerstone of Husserl's theory of consciousness.

What is the 'natural attitude' in phenomenology?

The 'natural attitude' is the implicit belief that the world exists independently of our consciousness. Husserl criticized this assumption, advocating for a phenomenological reduction to focus on the phenomena themselves.

What is the purpose of phenomenological reduction according to Husserl?

Phenomenological reduction aims to bracket all presuppositions about the independent existence of the world, allowing philosophers to explore how phenomena are given in experience without biases.

What is the difference between the 'tic reduction' and 'epoche' in phenomenology?

The 'epoche' involves suspending judgments about the existence of the world, while the 'tic reduction' concentrates on identifying the essential natures or essences of objects and acts of consciousness.

How does Husserl propose to discover the essences of objects?

Husserl suggests using 'free variation' in imagination to explore what remains essential about an object despite various changes. This method helps identify the characteristics necessary for an object to maintain its identity.

What is the role of empirical psychology in relation to phenomenology?

While phenomenology and empirical psychology can intersect, phenomenology prioritizes descriptive analysis of experiences, seeking to understand the structures of consciousness rather than reducing logic to psychological explanations.