Introduction to Phenomenology [Paperback]

Dermot Moran (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415183731 | ISBN-13: 978-0415183734 | Publication Date: February 5, 2000 | Edition: 1

Introduction to Phenomenology is an outstanding and comprehensive guide to phenomenology. Dermot Moran lucidly examines the contributions of phenomenology's nine seminal thinkers: Brentano, Husserl, Heidegger, Gadamer, Arendt, Levinas, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Derrida.
Written in a clear and engaging style, Introduction to Phenomenology charts the course of the phenomenological movement from its origins in Husserl to its transformation by Derrida. It describes the thought of Heidegger and Sartre, phenomonology's most famous thinkers, and introduces and assesses the distinctive use of phenomonology by some of its lesser known exponents, such as Levinas, Arendt and Gadamer. Throughout the book, the enormous influence of phenomenology on the course of twentieth-century philosophy is thoroughly explored.
This is an indispensible introduction for all unfamiliar with this much talked about but little understood school of thought. Technical terms are explained throughout and jargon is avoided. Introduction to Phenomenology will be of interest to all students seeking a reliable introduction to a key movement in European thought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An outstanding success. It provides an authoritative guide to the philosophical contributions not only of central figures such as Brentano, Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, but also to those of thinkers whose place in the movement is more marginal, such as Hans-Georg Gadamer, Hannah Arendt, Emmanuel Levinas and Jacques Derrida ... Moran's tone throughout is objective and balanced, and he deftly handles touchy issues such as Heidegger's Nazism.' - David Bell, Times Literary Supplement

`Dermot Moran's new book does much to restore the sense of excitement and promise which followed the emergence of phenomenology ... The book is richly illuminating in showing that phenomenology is deeply implicated in the changing circumstances of history ... an excellent introduction to phenomenology, which in its constant struggle with basic philosophical questions is shown to be in a vibrant and healthy state. - Tony O'Connor, The Irish Times

‘This is an excellent book which can be warmly recommended not just to someone with a particular interest in phenomenology and its history but to anyone with a genuine interest in philosophy. It is impressively erudite but never dull.’ - Philosophical Quarterly

Excellent. - Journal of Consciousness Studies

'Moran's writing is consistently clear, and his work provides information useful to readers of various philosophical backgrounds interested in familiarizing themselves with phenomenology. Introduction to Phenomenology remains an extensive and worthy reference work.'  - The Review of Metaphysics

About the Author

Dermot Moran teaches Philosophy at the University College Dublin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415183731
• ISBN-13: 978-0415183734
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tour de Force, February 5, 2004

By 

Charles Comer (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Phenomenology (Paperback)

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.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of Phenomenology, November 27, 2000

By 

Edward Garea "Edward Garea" (Branchville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Phenomenology (Paperback)

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars real good, June 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Phenomenology (Paperback)

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..