Phenomenology and the Consequences of Postmodernity

Abstract

Today we want to address the consequences of postmodernism for phenomenological thought. Throughout its illustrious and influential history in twentieth century philosophy, phenomenology has been called upon to do battle on a number of different fronts. In launching his phenomenological project, Edmund Husserl identified his main enemies to be naturalism and historicism and sought to combat them with the arsenal of “philosophy as a rigorous science”.¹ During the post-World War II period phenomenological philosophy encountered another philosophical contingent, which at times was perceived as foe and at other times as friend. This contingent was deployed under the flag of existentialism. The confrontation of existentialism with phenomenology, and particularly transcendental phenomenology, was at times rather spirited; but in the course of philosophical events overtures toward collaboration, and even merger, were made. This turned out to be the case particularly in the “existential phenomenology” of Maurice Merleau-Ponty.²