Etymology and Meanings of Phenomenology
Phenomenology is derived from two Greek words, “phainomenon,” meaning “that which appears” or “that which is visible,” and “logos,” meaning “study” or “discourse.”
The term was coined by the German philosopher Edmund Husserl in the early 20th century, who developed phenomenology as a method for studying subjective experience and consciousness.
In essence, phenomenology is concerned with examining how things appear to us in our consciousness, and how our consciousness gives meaning to the world around us.
Meanings of Phenomenology
- Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the study of subjective experience and consciousness.
- It involves a rigorous examination of the structures of experience, such as perception, intentionality, and consciousness, with the aim of uncovering the underlying essences of these phenomena.
- Phenomenology is not concerned with metaphysical or ontological questions, but rather with understanding how individuals perceive and interpret the world around them.
- The approach has been applied to a variety of fields beyond philosophy, including psychology, sociology, and literary studies, where it has been used to explore questions related to the nature of human experience and perception.
- Overall, phenomenology offers a systematic and rigorous method for exploring the subjective aspects of human experience, and has become an important approach in the humanities and social sciences.
Phenomenology and Literary Theory
| Phenomenology in Literature | Literary Theory |
| Focuses on subjective experience and consciousness. | Analyzes subjective experiences and consciousness in characters and narratives. |
| Seeks to uncover underlying structures of human experiences. | Explores complexities of human experiences in literature. |
| Examines intentionality in consciousness and perception. | Analyzes characters’ intentions and their impact on narratives. |
| Acknowledges reader’s role in constructing meaning. | Considers reader response and interpretation in literature. |
| Helps dissect narrative structures and character portrayal. | Examines narrative construction and character development. |
| Aligns with existential themes, exploring human existence. | Engages with existential themes in literature. |
| Shares interest in hermeneutics and interpretation. | Utilizes hermeneutic principles for textual analysis. |
| Encourages interdisciplinary exchange and concept borrowing. | Promotes interdisciplinary enrichment in literary analysis. |
Phenomenology: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments
Origin:
- Phenomenology originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily with the work of philosophers Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger, who laid the foundation for the phenomenological movement.
Theorists:
- Edmund Husserl: The founder of phenomenology, Husserl developed the philosophical method and principles of phenomenology in works like Logical Investigations and Ideas Pertaining to a Pure Phenomenology and to a Phenomenological Philosophy.
- Martin Heidegger: Heidegger expanded on phenomenology with his own existential-phenomenological approach, emphasizing the concept of “Being-in-the-world” in works like Being and Time.
Arguments:
- Intentionality: Phenomenology emphasizes intentionality, the idea that consciousness is always directed toward something. This concept forms the basis for understanding how individuals experience and perceive the world.
- Bracketing (Epoché): Husserl introduced the epoché, a method of suspending judgment about the existence of the external world in order to focus on pure phenomena and their essential characteristics.
- Phenomenological Reduction: The reduction involves a shift of focus from the external world to the subjective experience itself, aiming to uncover the essences of phenomena as they appear to consciousness.
- Transcendental Phenomenology: Husserl’s later work delved into transcendental phenomenology, exploring the conditions that make experiences possible and the role of consciousness in structuring reality.
- Being-in-the-world (Dasein): Heidegger’s concept of “Being-in-the-world” emphasizes the interconnectedness of human existence with the world, shifting focus from abstract consciousness to the embodied and engaged experience of individuals.
Principles of Phenomenology
- Intentionality: Phenomenology in literature explores the intentional nature of consciousness, focusing on how characters, narrators, and readers direct their attention and meaning toward objects and experiences within the text.
- Bracketing (Epoché): The application of bracketing in literary analysis involves temporarily suspending preconceived judgments and beliefs about a text or character, allowing for a more objective examination of the text’s meaning and the experiences it conveys.
- Phenomenological Reduction: Literary phenomenology employs the reduction to shift the reader’s focus from external or objective aspects of the text to the immediate subjective experience, aiming to uncover the essence of the literary phenomena and the reader’s engagement with them.
- Eidetic Variation: This principle involves contemplating possible variations of a literary phenomenon to arrive at its essential characteristics, helping literary analysts identify universal themes and experiences in literature.
- Description and Detail: Phenomenological analysis in literature places a strong emphasis on rich and detailed descriptions of literary phenomena, allowing for a deeper understanding of the characters’ experiences, emotions, and perceptions.
- Subjective Engagement: Literary phenomenology recognizes that readers engage subjectively with texts, and it encourages the exploration of how different readers may interpret and experience a literary work based on their unique perspectives.
- Existential Exploration: Phenomenology in literature often explores existential themes related to human existence, authenticity, alienation, and the search for meaning, uncovering the ways these themes are represented in literary texts.
- Interdisciplinary Perspective: Phenomenology in literature benefits from an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on concepts and methodologies from psychology, philosophy, and other fields to enhance the analysis of literary texts and their portrayal of human experience.
Suggested Readings
- De Bolla, Peter. The Discourse of the Sublime: Readings in History, Aesthetics, and the Subject. Blackwell, 1989.
- Gasché, Rodolphe. The Tain of the Mirror: Derrida and the Philosophy of Reflection. Harvard University Press, 1986.
- Krell, David Farrell. Intimations of Mortality: Time, Truth, and Finitude in Heidegger’s Thinking of Being. Pennsylvania State University Press, 1986.
- Levinas, Emmanuel. Totality and Infinity: An Essay on Exteriority. Translated by Alphonso Lingis, Duquesne University Press, 1969.
- Llewelyn, John. The Middle Voice of Ecological Conscience: A Chiasmic Reading of Responsibility in the Neighborhood of Levinas, Heidegger, and Others. Penn State University Press, 2003.
- Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. Phenomenology of Perception. Translated by Colin Smith, Routledge, 2012.
- Moran, Dermot. Edmund Husserl: Founder of Phenomenology. Polity Press, 2005.
- Nayar, Pramod K. The New Media and Cybercultures Anthology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
- Ricoeur, Paul. Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences: Essays on Language, Action, and Interpretation. Translated by John B. Thompson, Cambridge University Press, 1981.