AN INVITATION TO PHENOMENOLOGY

This is an extremely specialized volume and one might rightly ask for whom was it intended? The average student of philosophy or the average interested reader could only be bewildered by the largely technical vocabulary in use here and by the unfortunate absence of an introductory essay which might have put into perspective the complex, often contradictory, nature of phenomenology in general and its particular reference to the various studies which comprise the volume. These studies center on phenomenological analysis in epistemology, aesthetics, ethics, politics and existential psychology. As such they present a broad coverage of the phenomenological movement, but do so in a fashion which presupposes an understanding of the movement's methodology and history, as well as its convergences with and divergences from pragmatist, analytical and linguistic philosophy. The majority of the essays were read at the recent meetings of the Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy held at Northwestern University. Some attempt unexpected associations, e.g., the relationship between phenomenology and Oxbridge philosophy, or the phenomenological aspects of James' radical empiricism. Others prefer to limit themselves to (what they take to be) clearly defined areas in the most extended commentary. Professors Moore, TeHennepe and Grabau seem to present the most readable and rewarding of the essays.