20th Century German Philosophy, Descartes & 17th Century French Philosophy, 19th Century German Philosophy, Philosophy - General & Miscellaneous, Phenomenology
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Overview
This book explores the profound influence of Descartes' philosophy on Husserl's project for phenomenology. Husserl often cited Descartes as his "spiritual mentor" and the systematic doubt of the Meditations became one of the principal points of departure for beginning phenomenological investigations. However, there is an over-arching parallel between their respective philosophical enterprises which only an intimate and informed knowledge of both Descartes' and Husserl's texts can demonstrate. This convergence in their vision of a radically new beginning for philosophy often comes to the surface in unexpected places, where Husserl creatively mistakes Descartes' discoveries. Husserl remarked that Descartes had remained too true to the original skeptical impetus and not radical enough in his overthrow of that position. The author's research shows that Husserl remained far truer to Cartesianism, precisely in those places where the influence is deeply buried, and less radical than a faithful reading of Descartes' project according to the order of reasons would reveal. Since Husserl's influence on twentieth-century continental philosophers has been so well remarked, this work uncovers the legitimacy of their assessment of his Cartesian point of departure.Editorials
Booknews
Exploring the influence of Descartes' philosophy on Husserl's phenomenology, MacDonald (philosophy, Murdoch U., Western Australia) elaborates on the relationship between the two philosophers' vision of a radically new beginning for philosophy. Husserl remarked that Descartes had remained too true to the original skeptical impetus and not radical enough in his overthrow of that position. The author's research shows that Husserl remained far truer to Cartesianism and less radical than a faithful reading of Descartes' project would reveal. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
September 30, 2009
Publisher
State University of New York Press
ISBN
9781438411538