Phenomenology: The Basics by Zahavi, Dan;

Short description:

Phenomenology: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to one of the dominant philosophical movements of the twentieth century. An ideal starting point for anyone seeking a concise and accessible introduction to the rich and complex study of phenomenology.

Long description:

Phenomenology: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to one of the dominant philosophical movements of the 20th century. This lively and lucid book provides an introduction to the essential phenomenological concepts that are crucial for understanding great thinkers such as Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty. Written by a leading expert in the field, Dan Zahavi examines and explains key questions such as:

• What is a phenomenological analysis?


• What are the methodological foundations of phenomenology?


• What does phenomenology have to say about embodiment and intersubjectivity?


• How is phenomenology distinguished from, and related to, other fields in philosophy?


• How do ideas from classic phenomenology relate to ongoing debates in psychology and qualitative research?

With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, the book considers key philosophical arguments around phenomenology, making this an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a concise and accessible introduction to the rich and complex study of phenomenology.

"For the one seeking a way into phenomenological thinking today, or a way to help others find one, it has not been obvious, in the English context, what resource should serve as the best point of entry. The first great merit of Dan Zahavi?s book, Phenomenology: The Basics, is to change this calculus for good. Offering English readers an entry point into phenomenology that is accessible, lucid, and engaging, presents key concepts and insights faithfully (but not ploddingly), along with their pertinence in multiple fields of contemporary research, and doing this without obvious error or negligence, is no small achievement." - Karl Hefty, Reading Religion

"Phenomenology: The Basics as a whole is successful in achieving its task. The ideas are tied together in a well-ordered manner so as to present a general picture of phenomenological research. The language is clear enough to understand the claims, and the author provides tangible examples whenever required for the better clarification of the concepts.....The book is recommended to everyone who wants to get a coherent overview of the topic without focus on the issues such as the origins and the manifoldness of the existing approaches, internal debates and transformations, and the examination of the thoughts of phenomenological figures." - Khashayar Boroomandjazi, Metapsychology Online Reviews

"A lucid and authoritative introduction to phenomenology including its practical applications in sociology and psychology from one of the world?s leading phenomenologists." - Dermot Moran, University College Dublin, Ireland

"Zahavi?s Phenomenology: The Basics will guide several generations of philosophers and scientists in the study of consciousness, embodiment, communality and normality." - Sara Heinämaa, Academy of Finland, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

"Dan Zahavi, one of the most prolific and insightful phenomenologists of his generation, has provided a concise, clear and intellectually stimulating introduction to the study of phenomenology." - Alessandro Duranti, University of California, Los Angeles, USA?

"This lucid book gets to the core of what phenomenology is all about, and is essential reading for any students of that tradition." - Piet Hut, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, USA

Table of Contents:

Preface. Introduction. Part I: Foundational Issues. 1. The Phenomena. 2. Intentionality. 3. Methodological Considerations. 4. Science and the Lifeworld. 5. Digging Deeper: From surface to depth phenomenology. 6. Merleau-Ponty?s Preface to Phenomenology of Perception. Part II: Concrete Analyses. 7. Spatiality and Embodiment. 8. Intersubjectivity and Sociality. Part III: Applied Phenomenology. 9. Phenomenological Sociology. 10. Phenomenological Psychology, Qualitative Research, and Cognitive Science. Conclusion. Glossary. References.