Synthesis and Identity
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Daniele De Santis
Abstract
The present chapter explores a very specific theme concerning Husserl’s relation to Kant, namely, the connection between the idea of (transcendental) synthesis and the notion of “identity” construed as its correlate. According to Husserl, the introduction of a transcendental conception of “synthesis” represents Kant’s crucial contribution to the history of (modern) philosophy. Now, in order to fully appreciate the significance of such claim, we will first have to explain in what sense Husserl takes “the determination of the identity of being” as the problem lying at the very heart of philosophy, notably, of its “Greek” origin. Accordingly, the present chapter will be divided into two parts: after discussing the way in which Plato tackles and addresses the question of the determination of the identity of being, we will switch to Kant and his “contribution” to the history of modern philosophy as Husserl understands it. In this way, we will be able to ascribe to Kant a clear and specific position in the history of philosophy, which, as we firmly believe, can represent the starting point for any future attempt at discussing and shedding light on the relation between Kant and the father of phenomenology.
Abstract
The present chapter explores a very specific theme concerning Husserl’s relation to Kant, namely, the connection between the idea of (transcendental) synthesis and the notion of “identity” construed as its correlate. According to Husserl, the introduction of a transcendental conception of “synthesis” represents Kant’s crucial contribution to the history of (modern) philosophy. Now, in order to fully appreciate the significance of such claim, we will first have to explain in what sense Husserl takes “the determination of the identity of being” as the problem lying at the very heart of philosophy, notably, of its “Greek” origin. Accordingly, the present chapter will be divided into two parts: after discussing the way in which Plato tackles and addresses the question of the determination of the identity of being, we will switch to Kant and his “contribution” to the history of modern philosophy as Husserl understands it. In this way, we will be able to ascribe to Kant a clear and specific position in the history of philosophy, which, as we firmly believe, can represent the starting point for any future attempt at discussing and shedding light on the relation between Kant and the father of phenomenology.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Table of Contents v
- Husserl, Kant, and Transcendental Phenomenology 1
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Section I: The Transcendantal and the A priori
- The Meaning of the Transcendental in the Philosophies of Kant and Husserl 23
- The Ethics of the Transcendental 41
- The Phenomenological a priori as Husserlian Solution to the Problem of Kant’s “Transcendental Psychologism” 57
- On the Naturalization of the Transcendental 83
- Kant, Husserl, and the Aim of a “Transcendental Anthropology” 101
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Section II: The Ego and the Sphere of Otherness
- Transcendental Apperception and Temporalization 127
- “The Ego beside Itself” 143
- Kant and Husserl on Overcoming Skeptical Idealism through Transcendental Idealism 163
- “Pure Ego and Nothing More” 189
- Towards a Phenomenological Metaphysics 213
- The Transcendental Grounding of the Experience of the Other (Fremderfahrung) in Husserl’s Phenomenology 235
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Section III: Aesthetic, Logic, Science, Ethics
- Aesthetic, Intuition, Experience 259
- Synthesis and Identity 279
- Questions of Genesis as Questions of Validity 303
- Philosophical Scientists and Scientific Philosophers 333
- A Phenomenological Critique of Kantian Ethics 359
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Section IV: Transcendental Philosophy in Debate
- Is There a “Copernican” or an “Anti-Copernican” Revolution in Phenomenology? 391
- Back to Fichte? 411
- “An Explosive Thought:” Kant, Fink, and the Cosmic Concept of the World 439
- Eugen Fink’s Transcendental Phenomenology of the World 455
- Amphibian Dreams 479
- Husserlian Phenomenology in the Light of Microphenomenology 505
- Index of Persons 523
- Subject Index 527
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Table of Contents v
- Husserl, Kant, and Transcendental Phenomenology 1
-
Section I: The Transcendantal and the A priori
- The Meaning of the Transcendental in the Philosophies of Kant and Husserl 23
- The Ethics of the Transcendental 41
- The Phenomenological a priori as Husserlian Solution to the Problem of Kant’s “Transcendental Psychologism” 57
- On the Naturalization of the Transcendental 83
- Kant, Husserl, and the Aim of a “Transcendental Anthropology” 101
-
Section II: The Ego and the Sphere of Otherness
- Transcendental Apperception and Temporalization 127
- “The Ego beside Itself” 143
- Kant and Husserl on Overcoming Skeptical Idealism through Transcendental Idealism 163
- “Pure Ego and Nothing More” 189
- Towards a Phenomenological Metaphysics 213
- The Transcendental Grounding of the Experience of the Other (Fremderfahrung) in Husserl’s Phenomenology 235
-
Section III: Aesthetic, Logic, Science, Ethics
- Aesthetic, Intuition, Experience 259
- Synthesis and Identity 279
- Questions of Genesis as Questions of Validity 303
- Philosophical Scientists and Scientific Philosophers 333
- A Phenomenological Critique of Kantian Ethics 359
-
Section IV: Transcendental Philosophy in Debate
- Is There a “Copernican” or an “Anti-Copernican” Revolution in Phenomenology? 391
- Back to Fichte? 411
- “An Explosive Thought:” Kant, Fink, and the Cosmic Concept of the World 439
- Eugen Fink’s Transcendental Phenomenology of the World 455
- Amphibian Dreams 479
- Husserlian Phenomenology in the Light of Microphenomenology 505
- Index of Persons 523
- Subject Index 527
