Exploring Husserl's phenomenology, the book delves into its evolution from descriptive to transcendental and constitutive forms, aiming to uncover the foundations of knowledge and scientific inquiry. It features essays that examine the implications of phenomenology for natural science, psychology, and history, highlighting the method's significance in understanding various domains of knowledge. Through this comprehensive analysis, the work seeks to illuminate the foundational theories that underpin both philosophical thought and scientific practice.
The literature on Edmund Husserl's philosophy, particularly transcendental phenomenology, is extensive, yet few attempts have been made to present his work as a cohesive whole. This challenge arises from Husserl's vast literary output and the varied nature of his investigations, making it difficult to create a comprehensive overview. His philosophy is not a static system derived from a few principles but a method of inquiry that evolves based on its findings. A leading scholar in Husserl studies now offers a unified and critical interpretation of his philosophical work, emphasizing method as the key to understanding its continuity. This interpretation, the result of decades of scholarly engagement, highlights the dynamic relationship between the evolution of Husserl's method and the thematic development of his research. Focusing on Husserl's aspiration to achieve First Philosophy through transcendental phenomenology, the author elucidates the inner logic of his complex explorations across various fields, including logic, truth, evidence, science, essence, intentionality, constitution, internal time, horizon, intersubjectivity, history, and the lifeworld. Throughout her insightful exposition, she presents compelling arguments on contested issues in Husserl scholarship, addresses common criticisms of his work, and acknowledges its conceptual limitations and oversights.
