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Single Idea 22201

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 13. Against Definition ]

Full Idea

Definition cannot take the same form in philosophy as it does in mathematics; the imitation of mathematical procedure is invariably in this respect not only unfruitful, but perverse and most harmful in its consequences.

Gist of Idea

The use of mathematical-style definitions in philosophy is fruitless and harmful

Source

Edmund Husserl (Ideas: intro to pure phenomenology [1913], Intro)

Book Ref

Husserl,Edmund: 'Ideas: general introduction to pure phenomenology', ed/tr. Boyce Gibson,W [Routledge 2012], p.6

A Reaction

A hundred years of analytic philosophy has entirely ignored this warning. My heart has always sunk when I read '=def...' in a philosophy article (which is usually American). The illusion of rigour.

The 26 ideas from 'Ideas: intro to pure phenomenology'

22218 There can only be a science of fluctuating consciousness if it focuses on stable essences [Husserl, by Bernet]
22217 Phenomenology aims to validate objects, on the basis of intentional intuitive experience [Husserl, by Bernet]
22219 Husserl saw transcendental phenomenology as idealist, in its construction of objects [Husserl, by Bernet]
22216 Phenomenology studies different types of correlation between consciousness and its objects [Husserl, by Bernet]
19263 Imagine an object's properties varying; the ones that won't vary are the essential ones [Husserl, by Vaidya]
22220 The phenomena of memory are given in the present, but as being past [Husserl, by Bernet]
22221 We know another's mind via bodily expression, while also knowing it is inaccessible [Husserl, by Bernet]
22201 The use of mathematical-style definitions in philosophy is fruitless and harmful [Husserl]
22202 The World is all experiencable objects [Husserl]
21218 The sense of anything contingent has a purely apprehensible essence or Eidos [Husserl]
22203 Only facts follow from facts [Husserl]
21221 Direct 'seeing' by consciousness is the ultimate rational legitimation [Husserl]
22204 Start philosophising with no preconceptions, from the intuitively non-theoretical self-given [Husserl]
22205 Feelings of self-evidence (and necessity) are just the inventions of theory [Husserl]
22206 Natural science has become great by just ignoring ancient scepticism [Husserl]
22207 Epoché or 'bracketing' is refraining from judgement, even when some truths are certain [Husserl]
22208 'Bracketing' means no judgements at all about spatio-temporal existence [Husserl]
22210 After everything is bracketed, consciousness still has a unique being of its own [Husserl]
22209 Our goal is to reveal a new hidden region of Being [Husserl]
22211 As a thing and its perception are separated, two modes of Being emerge [Husserl]
21220 The physical given, unlike the mental given, could be non-existing [Husserl]
22212 Pure consciousness is a sealed off system of actual Being [Husserl]
22213 Absolute reality is an absurdity [Husserl]
22214 We never meet the Ego, as part of experience, or as left over from experience [Husserl]
22215 Phenomenology describes consciousness, in the light of pure experiences [Husserl]
21217 Phenomenology needs absolute reflection, without presuppositions [Husserl]