Philosophy 350 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception
Justin White
Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908–1961) is a major figure in the phenomenological tradition and one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century. He is certainly one of the most important figures in so-called continental philosophy, but he also has influenced many who identify with analytic, Anglo-American philosophy (in particular in philosophy of mind and cognitive science). In this class, we will focus on Phenomenology of Perception, in which he analyzes the nature of perception and embodiment and such topics as spatiality, freedom, and subjectivity. In addition to engaging with Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre in the phenomenological tradition and others in the history of philosophy, Merleau-Ponty engages with contemporary research in psychology and neurology. In addition to his influence on phenomenology, his work continues to influence contemporary work in philosophy of mind and neurophenomenology, philosophy of art, feminist philosophy, and more, as well as in other scientific and humanistic fields, such as political theory, literature, film studies, and cognitive science.
His work does not have the public notoriety of many of his contemporaries, such as Hannah Arendt, Simone de Beauvoir, Jacques Derrida, Emmanuel Levinas, Jean-Paul Sartre. There are various explanations for this. One is his premature death. He died by a stroke at the age of 53 and left behind substantial and significant unfinished work. Another factor is likely what Dermot Moran describes as his “retiring personality,” including the fact that he did not collaborate with others. Even so, his influence has been felt in much subsequent philosophical work, as listed above, and in the work of people like Oliver Sacks. His work also ranges broadly—ranging from more traditional existential phenomenology to work on politics, art, and literature—and is interesting in its own right, but also for how it influences later discussions.
