Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:37:45 -0500 From: "Robert Karl Stonjek" To: evolutionary-psychology@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [evol-psych] Phenomenology A good handle on issues in consciousness can be gained by perusing the abstracts here: Consciousness Research Abstracts http://www.imprint-academic.demon.co.uk/T2000/CLASS.htm Particularly the section on "Experiential Approaches", subsection Phenomenology: http://www.imprint-academic.demon.co.uk/T2000/05-01.html Dictionary Definitions should include the Oxford:- phenomenology [f. phenomenon + -logy.] a. The science of phenomena as distinct from that of being (ontology). b. That division of any science which describes and classifies its phenomena; in Philos., the theory, put forward by the German philosopher Edmund Husserl (1859~1938) and his followers, to the effect that the pure and transcendental nature and meaning of phenomena, and hence their real and ultimate significance, can only be apprehended subjectively; the method of reduction, based by Husserl on Descartes's method, whereby all factual knowledge and reasoned assumptions about the phenomenon as object and the experiencing ego' are set aside so that pure intuition of the essence of the phenomenon may be rigorously analysed and studied. Whilst you are familiar with the former definition (1), the later (2) is the commonly used definition in cognitive science, especially when dealing with consciousness, and psychology. As Evolutionary Psychology clearly has a foot in both camps, a conflict of definitions is bound to follow. Phenomenology in the study of consciousness is the discipline which attempts to find a scientific method of probing the human mind by using first person experience as the main tool of investigation. I have several books that cover the subject but do not have access to my library at this time (will retire to the workshop to continue gluing, sanding, and other activities related to the construction of a large bookshelf capable of storing all of my academic books/text books where they may patiently awaited their turn to be stroked by my probing eyes). I hope this revelation has not spoilt your day, Kind Regards Robert Karl Stonjek