Yearnings for Foundation. The Idea of Philosophy as a Rigorous Science and Ideas I
J. D. Díaz Álvarez
Phainomenon September 1, 2022 DOI: 10.2478/phainomenon-2022-0007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Husserl is a foundationalist thinker whose conception of philosophy as strenge Wissenschaft persists throughout his work, including Ideen I, and that this reading challenges interpretations such as Dan Zahavi's that downplay Husserl's foundationalism. |
Abstract
Abstract This paper reads Husserl’s phenomenology as an attempt to solve the crisis of our civilization. It is well known that for him the deep roots of this crisis are related to a misunderstanding of the idea of rationality that leads to skepticism and relativism. It is also well known that in order to overcome this situation Husserl will propound a new idea of reason and rationality that will supposedly fulfill the old dream with which philosophy was born in Greece: To be episteme, rigorous science valid at all times and in all places. Taking this general thesis into account, the paper will defend that Husserl is a foundationalist thinker and that the idea of philosophy as strenge Wissenschaft is present throughout his whole work, including, of course, Ideen I. This in some way “classic” interpretation tries to discuss other recent ways of understanding the whole Husserlian project, particularly Dan Zahavi’s reading, in which the foundationalist position is downplayed.