The essence of essences – the search for meaning structures in phenomenological analysis of lifeworld phenomena

Abstract

Phenomena may preferably be appreciated as essences, and describing phenomena and their essences is a common methodological goal in phenomenological research, e.g. in the area of health and well-being. Consequently it is important to explore the meaning of essences, thereby answering the questions, What are phenomenological essences? How do they come to be? What are their characteristics? In this article I suggest some possible answers to these questions through an analysis of Husserl's philosophy and especially his understanding of intentionality. Further, I want to show that the analysis of essences in empirical research never can be separated from the context of the phenomenon. Here I draw on the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty and especially his philosophy of “the flesh”.