Introduction to Phenomenology

Rating:
Summary: The Joy of Phenomenology
Review: Finally, an intelligent, clear and remarkably concise (considering its 568 pages) introduction to phenomenology and the leading figures of the phenomenological movement. Told in a straightforward style with no reliance on the technical jargon that has so frustrated readers in the past. Moran covers major figures from Brentano through Derrida, touching on their lives and thought, with part of the chapter or an entire chapter dedicated to an analysis of his or her major work on the subject. As a result, the reader not only gains a solid overview on each phenomenologist, but will also discover in the process just why phenomenology is such an attractive subject and why its has gained so many adherents over the years.

One slight complaint on my part. While there is no doubt that Hannah Arendt is one of the Twentieth Century's major thinkers, her reputation is not in phenomenology, though she was a student of Heidegger. I believe this volume would have been better served instead by the inclusion of Aron Gurwitsch and Alfred Schutz, both of whom applied the method of phenomenology to science and sociology, respectively. The Arendt inclusion is a little too redolent of political correctness to suit me, and does not serve her to the effect she deserves from such a study.

But then, one can't have everything, and the plusses of this volume far outweigh any petty complaints of mine. Overall, a volume that should be in every philosophy library.

Rating:
Summary: A Tour de Force
Review: Moran's Introduction to Phenomenology is at once a sweeping history of what some have called the most important philosophical movement of the 20th century, beginning with its fledgling conception in Brentano as the inspiration of Husserl and moving on to French phenomenology, and also an informative guide through the very difficult terrain of the main texts of the aformentioned Brentano and Husserl, in addition to Heidegger, Sartre, Levinas, Arendt, Merleau-Ponty, and Derrida. In clear yet precise prose, Moran explicates the main texts of this movement, and gives the reader a confident grasp of the ideas therein. Special mention should go to Morans's treatment of Husserl, wherein he gives an excellent explication of Husserl's Logical Investigations and Ideas I, that includes constant reference to his influence by, and departure from, Brentano, in addition to the ideas that Heidegger would later use to develop the Heideggarian hermeneutics of Being. It seems that German phenomenology is Moran's specialization, as his treatment of Sartre in particular, but also of Merleau-Ponty, Levinas, and Derrida, are somewhat limited to the early formulations of their thinking. (For example, there is little reference to Sartre's later, but equally important, social/Marxist writings.) Nonetheless, for the beginner--or even the non-beginer for that matter--Moran's presention is more than adequate.

In addition Moran has included a very useful bibliography of untranslated and translated primary sources, as well as secondary sources. Coupled with its expansive index, this book is an equally good reference guide.

Some have made comparisons with Father Robert Sokolowski's equally good "Introduction to Phenomenology." Besides the name and the fact that these books were published around the same time, it is really unfair to compare them; these two excellent scholars of phenomenology have two diffent agendas. Sokolowski simply wants to explain the main thrust of phenomenology in a very clear and useful way, giving his reader an understanding of how to "think" phenomenologically, leading one to do phenomenology, or, at the very least, incorporate basic phenomenological ideas in every-day life. To this extent, it achieves its goal brillianatly. Moran's book is more historical, and perhaps more scholarly and technical. When we compare Sokolowski's book, encompassing around two hundred pages, against Moran's at around five hundred fifty, this should seem evident, but not suggestive of an over-simplification on Sokolowski's part. In fact, I believe that the two books complement one another quite well, and both seem a good start prior to delving into primary material: Moran's for particular tomes, and Sokolowski's for extracting the method of a phenomenologist, or a phenomenology if you will.

Rating:
Summary: real good
Review: This is probably the best introduction to the phenomenological movement as a whole in print. For purposes of introduction to the ideas of the major philosophers of the movement, with minimal background information, or just for an overall review of of the movement for the more informed reader this volume is indispensable.. The background of Husserl's ideas is remarkably well treated, and so is the birth of Heidegger's Being and Time out of a critical appraisal of Husserl. There is a slackening of dynamism and integrity after the Heidegger chapter, but with Derrida, Moran is once again able to bring out the gist and richness of phenomenology. The book not only makes you familiar with the basic concepts involved - noema, noemata, Dasein etc.- but helps cultivate a genuine phenomenological interest in the reader, in line with Heidegger's belief that phenomenology is only possible as something to be practiced, and that this is the real importance it carries as a philosophy..

Rating:
Summary: Informative, yet easy to understand.
Review: This is the best introductory book to phenomenology because it's somewhat like an encycolpedia of phenomenology and more importantly is that the book is written in colloquial language. Since it's very informative yet easy to understand, it really helps readers in future readings.
The book can also be used as a reference, not only as an introduction.