Ferrara Chapter III “Husserl’s Phenomenology”
Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) intended to build a new phenomenological foundation that would provide science with a methodology based on the absolute verifiable foundations of immediate, conscious experience (Ferrara 51). In order to achieve this, Husserl had to suspend all preconceived notions towards things in order to perceive what is directly given through the immediate appearance. Since it is through the mind that we observe, Husserl states, that we must suspend our psychology and return to the things themselves if we wish to develop an empirical based objectivism.
Edmund Husserl
Husserl states that the meaning of a thing is controlled by the consciousness that engages it. Meaning can only exist when an object is engaged by the consciousness. Husserl’s goal through phenomenology is to provide uncolored, unbiased and systematic descriptions of the objects of experience without resorting to either of the theoretical positions of realism or idealism (Ferrara 60).
Husserl’s description of internal Time consciousness uses the terms “retention” and “protention” Consciousness creates protends or anticipates that an object will still be the same object. Consciousness retains the immediate past appearance of the object. If a protention is congruous with a retention then the consciousness confirms it is indeed the same object. It is through the coming together of past present and future that illustrate the importance of internal time consciousness
Husserl’s concept of phenomenological reduction posits two discrete stages. The first being transcendental reduction where one must suspend all preconceived views, ideas and assumptions found in the natural attitude and allow the consciousness to examine itself and the world objectively and comprehensively. The second stage, eidetic reduction, can only be performed once one has obtained transcendental reduction. The goal of eidetic reduction is to discover universal knowledge about the structure of those objects. As one suspends the world around the object one can then observe the object part by part through eidetic reduction.
Husserl’s later philosophy examines the ego. He contends that one develops the ego first and then through empathy the ego can account for others. Once the ego can co-exist with “others” the cultural web of the life-world. Each person has his own version of reality, however, we are aware that these are just different viewpoints on the same world. Husserl discusses Galileo’s adaptation of pure geometry to be nothing but an approximation of shapes in life. If geometry isn’t real but there is a method of analysis, then there must be a method to approximate sound, color, and smell. Our immediate perception of things would be replaced by method. Husserl then returns to his original concept “of going back to the things themselves.”
Husserl ultimately fails to prove that a consciousness can overcome its own subjectivity. Even from an ideal point of view, if one were able to observe an object purely, the intrinsic biases of language would make it impossible to communicate the experience. Husserl tries to reach a middle ground between the objectivist (realist) ad idealist positions by undercutting them. He fails because he tried to work out the problems of both positions while remaining grounded in his own form of idealism (Ferrara 80).
Personal Reaction:
First thought. I need to read more philosophy. I’ve only read the required texts, which spoke to me here and there. But certainly, there is some incredible perspective changing material out there. I really enjoy the way the logic flows on top of itself and coagulates to create something totally different than the initial thoughts.
Was Tim Leary Inspired by Husserl's Reduction?
Phenomenological reduction sounded like something out of a Tim Leary lecture without all of the LSD. The concepts behind transcendent reduction have always my goal during performance, but I have never seen it in words before. I always aim to disassociate myself from any preconceived notions I have about my playing, life, or the world around me. I aim to suspend and transcend the world around me. Every so often I am able to achieve this during performance; it is a truly wonderful experience that is incredibly motivating. In these fleeting moments, I do not feel like I am playing the instrument, but that something is playing me. I can step back, observe, and purely enjoy the sound. I have spoken to Kenny Werner about this feeling many times. It was his book, Effortless Mastery, which showed me the practical path to take in order to increase my ability to transcend my playing.
Now, if we could figure out how to enter a similar meditative state while listening to music then maybe it could be possible to approach Husserl’s reduction. Of course even if we were able somewhat suspend all of our preconceptions, that experience would only exist for the one who experienced it. As Ferrara states, the intrinsic biases in language would make it impossible to communicate our observations in a pure sense.
At the bottom is a little video of Kenny Werner doing one of his clinics. He is essentially a modern day music philosopher who focuses on inspiration, practice technique, and musical freedom. In this video he improvises a short lecture revolving around his philosophical tenants. If you do ever have the opportunity to hear him speak/play live. Do it. It may very well change your life. ENJOY
