Customer Reviews

Introduction to Phenomenology

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4 star:		(2)
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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.

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.

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..

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.

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..

Moran's way-path through phenomenology is truly phenomenal! I say that it is a way-path and not a work because it is not an end in itself, but truly the beginning of an ever continuing/renewing end. It has been extremely helpful as I work my way through phenomenology.

Phenomenology is one of the studies where very few of us have the time and money to work our way through it in its entirety. It is an area of study that invites the scholar to plant his feet in one vantage point, one moment.

The moment in phenomenology that I've chosen is Heidegger, which is, of course, a lifetime of achievement in itself. Part of the difficulty in understanding Heidegger is understanding him in relation others to his teacher (i.e. Husserl), his students (i.e. Gadamer), and, more illicitly, his extramarital lover Hannah Arendt. Obviously, I do not have the time nor funding to study/afford all of these books, let alone give a systematic analysis of these works. So in its place (tentatively), I have picked up Moran's book to help me along my own way-path, specifically Heidegger. What it has enabled me to do, is understand Heidegger in relation to early and late phenomenology. Moran provide a diachronic analysis rather than a synchronic summary, which is surely the preferred method to be consistent with the practice of phenomenology. His book is a wonderful tour guide through this fun themepark known as phenomenology.

Now, I plan to review and read some of these works in relation to Heidegger, but right now my focus and main attention is directed to Heidegger himself. It is for this reason I find this book a helpful compass as I work my way through the many ambiguities of phenomenology at-large and small (and manifestly as they appear as all embracing constitutions in relation to my transcendental ego as it intentions the subject as it is given in the state of affairs of its appearing.) I would recommend this book to anyone that is attempting to set out on a similar endeavor like myself.

I give this book four stars because it is a book that is always/continually "on the way" to phenomenology. It is a book with obvious limitations in that it is a tool towards an end and not an end in itself. In it the author seems to display a strong, but well defended, bias towards Husserl. I believe that there are some parts of this book that could be swelled in accordance with Justice, but, if all this is understood by the reader, then its value is not reduced, but induced.

I bought this as a grad student studying Philosophy. I actually became familiar with the topic through a seminar class that focused on Continental Philosophy. I became very interested and bought this book to help put things in perspective from a broad POV, of course. Anyway, this book served me well. It helped me prepare lectures and papers by providing critical surveys of Philosopher's and their associated movements. This works well in giving jumping points for further investigation to help fill in the gaps. A must have in any Phil. library. Also, critical for those who just have an interest in the subject...