In the Name of Phenomenology

He argues that we should consider phenomenologically informed philosophy apart from the history of the phenomenological movement itself, and argues that the main dividing line within philosophy now lies not between analytic and continental but scientific and conceptual.Clearly and engagingly written, The Movement of Phenomenology is essential reading for students of phenomenology and contemporary philosophy.'Simon Glendinning's original, rigorous and elegantly written book invites us to consider phenomenology not as a philosophical school or movement, but rather as a set of modernist texts which put naturalism and scientism in question in ways that should interest contemporary Anglo-American philosophers, and which open themselves to question by their successors in ways that might renew philosophy's relevance to contemporary culture. It is a provocation to thought that is also a pleasure to read.' Stephen Mulhall, New College, Oxford 'A masterfulexpos of the central themes and thinkers of the phenomenological revolution. Written in a lucid and engaging style, this volume deploys the best resources of both continental and analytic philosophy to prize open the thesaurus of the 'things themselves'. It deftly unravels the ethical and deconstructive implications of phenomenology in the twentieth century, from Husserl and Heidegger to Derrida and Levinas.' Richard Kearney, Boston College, USA The attempt to pursue philosophy in the name of phenomenology is one of the most significant and important developments in twentieth century thought. In this bold and innovative book, Simon Glendinning introduces some of the major figures in the phenomenological inheritance of philosophy and demonstrates that its ongoing strength and coherence is to be explained less by what Maurice Merleau-Ponty called the 'unity' of its 'manner of thinking' and more by what he called its 'unfinished nature'. Beginning with a discussion of the nature of phenomenology, Glendinning follows the shifting sequence of launches and re-launches of phenomenology that are elaborated in key texts by Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Levinas and Derrida. Focussing on the different ways in which each philosopher has responded to and transformed the legacy of phenomenology, Glendinning shows that the richness of this legacy lies not in the formation of a distinctive movement or school but in a remarkable capacity to make fertile philosophical breakthroughs through self-interruption and deviance. Important topics such as the nature of phenomenological arguments, the critique of realism and idealism, ontology, existentialism, perception, ethics and the other are also closely examined. Through a re-evaluation of the development of phenomenology Glendinning traces the ruptures and dislocations that mark an inheritance of philosophy that, in an age dominated by science, strives constantly to renew our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Clearly and engagingly written, In the Name of Phenomenology is essential reading for students of phenomenology and contemporary philosophy.Phenomenology is one of the 20th century's most important philosophical movements. It is also attracting renewed interest from philosophers working within the 'analytic' tradition, often thought to be at odds with phenomenology. The author explores key questions about phenomenology that are frequently overlooked.In this bold and controversial book, Simon Glendinning explores some fundamental questions about phenomenology that are frequently overlooked.The attempt to pursue philosophy in the name of phenomenology is one of the most significant and important developments in twentieth century thought. In this bold and innovative book, Simon Glendinning introduces some of its major figures, and demonstrates that its ongoing strength and coherence is to be explained less by what Maurice Merleau-Ponty called the 'unity' of its 'manner of thinking' and more by what he called its 'unfinished nature'. Beginning with a discussion of the nature of phenomenology, Glendinning explores the changing landscape of phenomenology in key texts by Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Levinas and Derrida. Focusing on the different ways in which each philosopher has responded to and transformed the legacy of phenomenology, Glendinning shows that the richness of this legacy lies not in the formation of a distinctive movement or school but in a remarkable capacity to make fertile philosophical breakthroughs. Important topics such as the nature of phenomenologicalarguments, the critique of realism and idealism, ontology, existentialism, perception, ethics and the other are also closely examined. Through a re-evaluation of the development of phenomenology Glendinning traces the ruptures and dislocations of philosophy that, in an age dominated by science, strive constantly to renew our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Clearly and engagingly written, In the Name of Phenomenology is essential reading for students of phenomenology and contemporary philosophy.