Phenomenology

"There are more than what meets the eye"

(A reflection on the phenomenologies of Husserl and Heidegger)

Husserl's phenomenology attempts to sketch a way into describing experiences unmediated by temporalities in order to reach the "things in themselves." From our experience of phenomena, one must be able to transcend temporal limitations in order to intuit the genuine and lasting character from a particular experience. This way one can discover what most truly persists through all.

Heidegger on the other hand applies Husserl's methodology to ontology. In here he attempts to comprehend the meaning of "Being" generally and concretely. This led him to the forwarding the understanding of human existence as active participation in the world Ð'- "being there" (Dasein). And this fact of our "Dasein-ess" is subject into continuous uncertainty because of the fact of death which reminds us that we are limited. This realization and concern for annihilation constitutes self-awareness. This is what makes us different from all other animals, this is what makes man to be the only one who truly exist. Thus it is said that "Death is the key to Life."

Though it seems that phenomenology can be very theoretical with no practical application, it can teach us a number about relationships and about having an authentic life.

Firstly, phenomenology teaches us to look beyond what appears to the senses. Gullible is not such a big word in here. When one is presented with an experience, s/he should not interpret it as it is appears at the onset. Rather, one should "bracket" and suspend judgment. This way one can lift the meaning of the experience from its common-sense meaning. This then can brig us to reduce the very essence.

Secondly, phenomenology serves as an inspiration to finding hope to our existence. With its goal of reaching self-awareness, it leads us to the authenticity of a life created out of nothing, in the face of dread, by reference only to one's own deliberate purposes.

And thirdly is the call of continual self-creation. By showing us the dread of slipping into "what-is-not", one is challenged to remain "what-is." There are more than what is in the present. What we are becoming