<p>The philosophy of Edmund Husserl is not easily characterized by a single phrase or even a few sentences. It has been labelled psychologism, Platonism, subjective idealism, transcendental idealism, realism, phenomenalism, reconstructed empiricism, etc. And according to the aspects of his philosophy which are neglected in interpreting the rest, all such labels are, in part, justifiable. It is undoubtedly true that Husserl's thought underwent important modifications. Eugen Fink, Hnsserl's assistant in Freiburg, has suggested three main stages in Husserl's philosophical career. It is our contention, however, that such periodization is contributory to a distortion of his philosophy. Aside from his early psychologism, Husserl's thought forms a systematic whole. It is systematic in the sense that his search for t:he "absolute foundation" of knowledge leads him progressively deeper and deeper into subjectivity.</p> <p>Nevertheless, one may emphasize different layers of the Husserlian "diggings". We have chosen to examine a relatively small one, viz., the years 1907 to 1911. On the basis of this examination, we hope to portray phenomenology as a method - a metaphysically neutral method whereby "objects" may be brought to clarification through reflecting on their modes of appearance. The reriod suggested for investigation cannot, however, be quite so neatly cut off. To avoid, as far as possible, a one-sided (mis-)interpretation of Husserl's philosophy, it will be necessary to consider briefly the foundations of phenomenology. Only by re-thinking Husserl's thought can we hope to understand him. Also in the interest of clarification, we shall not hesitate to refer, both explicitly and implicitly, to his works published after 1911.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

The original document does not provide an abstract. McMaster Digitization Centre, 14 March 2019. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>Difficult and important interpretative problems arise in a careful reading of Kierkegaard's texts that do not normally arise in reading the texts of authors who go about their writing in a more direct and straightforward. These difficulties are occasioned by Kierkegaard's tactical employment of indirect communication. Indirect communication forces a reader to assume an active and participatory role in the reading of texts. It solicits a special kind of understanding. The kind of understanding it solicits requires effort and concern.</p> <p>In this thesis Kierkegaard's point of view on understanding is explicated and applied in a reading of his texts. Indirect communication comes into its proper light when thought of as a stratedgy for bringing this sort of understanding about for a given reader. Kierkegaard's views on understanding are used to explain his employment of indirect communication and his views on indirect communication are used to explain his very interesting point of view on understanding.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)