Phenomenological Elucidation Research Articles

Body, Music and Electronics: Pierre Schaeffer and the Phenomenology of Music

"The article presents a phenomenological investigation of body and music, with particular emphasis on electronic music. The investigation builds on theoretical framework developed in phenomenological investigations in art by Edmund Husserl, Mikel Dufrenne and Roman Ingarden. It is guided beyond these analyses by investigations of particular musical examples in avant-garde acoustic and electronic music. In the former case it tackles music from which body is being consciously erased. In the latter case, the erasure occurs instantly. This negative approach elucidates the function of body in music. In case of electronic music, the article focuses on writings and music of pioneer of musique concrète, Pierre Schaeffer. Central argument is that electronic music always has been and still is defined by absence of body, here phenomenologically considered as Leib. As a consequence of the phenomenological elucidation, it is ultimately shown that erasure of body has been one of the avant-garde music’s crucial techniques, and that this avant-garde residue remains in electronic music as such, both experimental and mainstream. Keywords: Schaeffer, Husserl, phenomenology, music, body, aesthetics "

Husserl, the active self, and commitment

In “On what matters: Personal identity as a phenomenological problem” (2020), Steven Crowell engages a number of contemporary interpretations of Husserl’s account of the person and personal identity by noting that they lack a phenomenological elucidation of the self as commitment. In this article, in response to Crowell, I aim to show that such an account of the self as commitment can be drawn from Husserl’s work by looking more closely at his descriptions from the time of Ideas and after of the self as ego or I and egoic experience as attentive experience. I specifically aim to sketch the beginning of a response to three questions I take Crowell to be posing to a Husserlian account of the person and personal identity: (1) What more than pre-reflective self-awareness can be attributed to the self on phenomenological grounds so that we can understand, phenomenologically speaking, how selves become persons? (2) How can what characterizes the self in addition to pre-reflective self-awareness be discerned in both our commitment to truth and our feeling bound by love and other emotive commitments that cannot be fully rationally justified, which Husserl acknowledges are both sources of personal self-constitution? And (3), do all selves become persons? In the paper I elaborate how my answers to the first two questions turn on the self not just being self-aware but active in a particular sense. And to begin to address the third question, I suggest that while any form of wakeful conscious experience is both self-aware and active, this activity of the self makes a difference for those who are socio-historically embedded in the way we are. Specifically, on the proposed Husserlian account, selves that are socio-historically embedded become persons in and through their active relating to what they attentively experience. In concluding, I indicate how this Husserlian account might compare to Crowell’s claim that “self-identity (ipseity) is not mere logical identity (A=A) but a normative achievement […] which makes a ‘personal’ kind of identity possible” (2020).

How to Develop Phenomenology as Psychology: from Description to Elucidation, Exemplified Based on a Study of Dream Analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodological concept of phenomenological elucidation to promote the development of phenomenology as psychology. After offering a minimal review of the historical relationship between phenomenology and psychology, the first section gives a brief overview of the descriptive phenomenological approach developed by A. Giorgi and other psychologists. However, for phenomenology to evolve as a human science, the method should not remain descriptive. One needs to be able to answer the question of "why". The second section outlines the process of phenomenological elucidation on the topic of dream analysis. This process answers the question of "why" based on identifying differences between the fundamental phenomenological structure of the dream experience and that of the real experience. Husserl's classification of intentionalities is used as a heuristic for this identification. In the final section, phenomenological elucidation is defined as a way to answer the "why" question by treating the differences between the experiences in question as specific cases of more fundamental differences in phenomenological structure. This method is expected to be effective in the development of phenomenology as psychology, that is, as an empirical human science.

Fabrication of porous polyimide hollow microspheres through O/W/O multiple emulsion

Herein, we demonstrate a novel strategy for the fabrication of porous polyimide hollow microspheres through building oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) multiple emulsion using poly(amic acid) salt (PAAS) water solution as W phase, liquid paraffin (Lp) as O phase, and Op-10, Span-80 as emulsifiers, respectively. After the addition of the chemical imidization reagent, hollow polyimide microspheres with a porous structure were successfully prepared. The morphology and forming process of obtained hollow PI microspheres were well characterized by OM, SEM, FTIR. The results show that size and morphology control of the polyimide hollow spheres was examined by tuning different contents of PAAS, Op-10 and Span-80. Less adhesion and collapse spheres were achieved with PAAS increased up to 3.5wt%. The number of holes on surface of the spheres increases with the decreasing of op-10 content, while the size of the spheres decreases as the span-80 content increases. A phenomenological elucidation of the mechanism for growth of the hollow polyimide architectures has been proposed. This simple method could fabricate different PI hollow spheres, and also used for fabricating the corresponding carbon hollow spheres. Because of the excellent properties of PIs, their porous hollow structure microspheres may be used for coatings, inks, catalyst loading, nanoparticle dispersion, and so forth.

“Find yourself” and “be faithful to yourself” as vectors of self-cognition

Using the personаlity theory of German psychologist Philipp Lersch, a phenomenological elucidation of what it means “to thine own self be true” is offered. Lersch views the person as a two-tіеr structure. The <affective-dynamic> base is formed by our drives, needs, desires, and emotions connected with them. Resting upon it is the <personal superstructure> of thinking and decision-making processes. Harmonious working together of both levels is a precondition of personal authenticity, while lack of it, as in repressions, leads to inauthentic, “phony“ experiences and behaviors (as described by J.D.Salinger in his novel “Catcher in the rye”). In the person-centered therapy of Carl Rogers client is slowly moving in the direction of a <fully functioning person> which is open to and in touch with experiences of its <organism>, i.e. its <affective-dynamic base>. This Rogerian concept is similar to the A.H. Maslow’s descriptions of <self-actualizing persons>.

Trust and Betrayal from a Husserlian Standpoint

This paper provides an interpretation of trust and betrayal within political communities from the perspective of Husserl’s concept of social communities. I situate the paper amidst Margaret Gilbert’s theory of political obligations, arguing that at least one outside conception of trust fills a gap left in her theory. More specifically, I argue for the supplementary fit that Karen Jones’s conception of trust understood as ‘basal security’ provides for Gilbert. From there, I tie this conception of trust and betrayal to Husserl’s notions of ‘original belief’ and socio-cultural crisis. There is thereby a phenomenological elucidation of features within the social world that allow such crises to occur in the first place.

Determination of photoinduced and intrinsic birefringences in PMMA/DR13 guest-host film

We report measurements and analysis of photoinduced birefringence (PIB) in polymeric stretched films, hence, with an intrinsic birefringence (IB) associated to the polymeric chain orientation. It was found that transmittance signal is dependent on the angle between the film stretching direction and the probe light polarization, increasing or decreasing relatively to IB signal. Theoretical analysis considered that light propagates through the film having a photoinduced and intrinsic birefringences with independent optical axes. The transmittance signal dependence on the film angle is correctly accounted and our approach could give a phenomenological elucidation to the effect known as the inverse relaxation effect.

A study on the Present Stage of Phenomenological Elucidation of Yangming’s Thought

A study on the Present Stage of Phenomenological Elucidation of Yangming’s Thought

Controlled synthesis of spherical α-NiS and urchin-like β-NiS microstructures

Spheres and self-assembled wires of α-NiS (the hexagonal phase) have been successfully synthesized by a facile mix solvothermal route (glycol and water). Varying the volume ratio between glycol and water, and leaving the other conditions unchanged, the urchin-like β-NiS (the rhombohedral phase) microstructures were also prepared. The as-obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The TEM results show that the wires of α-NiS are constructed by a number of spheres of α-NiS as primary building units. On the basis of the TEM results, a phenomenological elucidation of the growth mechanism of α-NiS architectures has been presented as the directional aggregating and the Ostwald ripening. Moreover, the optical properties of the α-NiS and β-NiS microstructures were investigated by the room-temperature ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.

Fabrication of Hydroxyapatite Hierarchical Hollow Microspheres and Potential Application in Water Treatment

Many efforts have been made in fabricating three-dimensional (3D) ordered hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp) nanostructures due to their growing applications as a bone cement, drug deliverer, tooth paste additive, dental implant, gas sensor, ion exchange, catalyst, etc. Here, we developed a new synthetic route to 3D HAp-based hollow microspheres through a water-soluble biopolymer (polyaspartic acid) assisted assembly from HAp nanorods. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) gas sorptometry. SEM and TEM results showed that 3D HAp hollow microspheres are constructed by a number of one-dimensional (1D) nanorods as primary building units. The influences of the additive polyaspartic acid and reaction time on final morphology and assembled structure of the products were systematically investigated. On the basis of our experimental results, a phenomenological elucidation of the mechanism for growth of the hollow HAp architectures has been proposed. The time-dependent experiments unveil that the HAp hollow microspheres are fabricated following initial formation and subsequent transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) spheres. In-depth investigations, based on control experiments and FT-IR, EDX, and XPS analyses, reveal that polyaspartic acid acts as both a chelating and a surface capping agent in the synthesis process. First, polyaspartic acid molecules via calcium ion accumulation induce formation of ACP. At the subsequent stage Ostwald ripening contributes to formation of the hollow microspheres, and polyaspartic acid molecules capping to the surface of HAp crystallites control growth of the short nanorod subunits. Moreover, the adsorption experiments of the hierarchical hollow HAp for different heavy metal ions were conducted, and the results exhibit that the hierarchical hollow HAp have unique selective adsorption activity for heavy metal Pb2+. In-depth investigation is still in progress.

Controlled synthesis of various hierarchical nanostructures of copper sulfide by a facile microwave irradiation method

Hierarchical flower-like spheres and self-assembled chains of copper sulfide have been synthesized by a facile microwave irradiation. The as-obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The SEM and TEM results showed that three-dimensional (3D) flower-like CuS spheres are constructed by a number of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets as primary building units, whereas the one-dimensional (1D) hierarchical chains are formed by the oriented attachment of the 3D flower-like spheres of CuS. The influences of the additive EDTA, concentration of reactants, microwave power, and reaction time on final morphology and assembled structure of the products were systematically investigated. On the basis of our experimental results, a phenomenological elucidation of the mechanism for the growth of the CuS architectures has been presented, and the driving force for the self-assembly of the nanoplates can be attributed to interfacial tension and the interaction between the hydrophilic surfaces of CuS nanoplates. EDTA acts as both a chelating reagent and a surface capping agent in the synthesis process. Moreover, the optical property of the flower-like CuS microspheres was measured by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy.

Synthesis of orthorhombic and cubic PbF2 by hydrothermal method

Orthorhombic (α-) and cubic (β-) PbF2 have been successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process at 200 °C for 8 h using Pb(C2H3O)2 and NH4F as the raw reaction materials. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD and SEM results show that the uniform β-PbF2 microspheres and porous-microspheres with the average diameter about 3 and 5 μm, respectively, were synthesized assisting with citric acid and α-PbF2 microrods and microtubes with a diameter about 15 and 10 μm, respectively, were synthesized assisting with acetic acid. The reaction conditions influencing the synthesis of these PbF2 microstructures, such as reaction time, the amount of CTAB, and the molar ratio of F/Pb were investigated. On the basis of a series of observations, phenomenological elucidation of a mechanism for the growth of the β-PbF2 microspheres and multispheres has been presented. Room-temperature photoluminescence measurements indicated that the as-prepared α-PbF2 microrods exhibit a strong green emission.

Aqueous Solution Synthesis of CaF2 Hollow Microspheres via the Ostwald Ripening Process at Room Temperature

Nearly monodispersive CaF2 hollow microspheres were synthesized by a facile aqueous solution route from the mixed aqueous solutions of CaCl2, Na2WO4, and NaF at room temperature. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption techniques. The CaF2 hollow microspheres have an average diameter of about 1.5 microm and a hollow interior of 0.5 microm. The shell is composed of numerous single-crystalline nanoparticles with diameter of about 20 nm. The morphologies and diameters of the CaF2 products are strongly dependent on the experimental parameters, such as the concentration of the aqueous NaF solution and the reaction temperature. The synthetic experiments indicate that the growth process of CaF2 hollow microspheres involves first the formation of CaWO4 solid microspheres and then the formation of CaF2 solid microspheres through the reaction between CaWO4 and F(-) ions controlled by the difference of the solubility product for CaWO4 and CaF2. Phenomenological elucidation based on TEM observations and XRD patterns of intermediate products at different precipitation stages indicates that the formation mechanism for the CaF2 hollow microspheres is related to the Ostwald ripening mechanism. N2 adsorption-desorption measurement shows that the CaF2 hollow microspheres possess a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and porosity properties. The synthetic procedure is straightforward and represents a new example of the Ostwald ripening mechanism for the formation of inorganic hollow structures in an aqueous solution at room temperature.

Fabrication of Novel CdIn2S4 Hollow Spheres via a Facile Hydrothermal Process

Novel CdIn2S4 hollow spheres with small bipyramids aggregating on their surface had been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process without any template or surfactant. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The reaction conditions influencing the synthesis of these CdIn2S4 hollow sphere structures, such as reaction temperature, reaction time, and the kinds of solvent used, were investigated. Furthermore, on the basis of a series of observations, phenomenological elucidation of a mechanism for the growth of the CdIn2S4 hollow spheres has been presented.

A novel synthesis of micrometer silica hollow sphere

Silica microcapsules (hollow spheres) were synthesized successfully by a novel CTAB-stabilized water/oil emulsion system mediated hydrothermal method. The addition of urea to a solution of aqueous phase was an essential step of the simple synthetic procedure of silica hollow spheres, which leads to the formation of silica hollow spheres with smooth shell during hydrothermal process. The intact hollow spheres were obtained by washing the as-synthesized solid products with distilled water to remove the organic components. A large amount of silanol groups were retained in the hollow spheres by this facile route without calcination. The morphologies and optical properties of the product were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, on the basis of a series of SEM observations, phenomenological elucidation of a mechanism for the growth of the silica hollow spheres has been presented.

Essential clarifications of ‘self-affection’ and Husserl’s ‘sphere of ownness’: First steps toward a pure phenomenology of (human) nature

This article begins with a critical discussion of the commonly used phenomenological term “self-affection,” showing how the term is problematic. It proceeds to clarify obscurities and other impediments in current usage of the term through initial analyses of experience and to single out a transcendental clue found in Husserl’s descriptive remarks on wakeful world-consciousness, a clue leading to a basic phenomenological truth of wakeful human life. The truth centers on temporality and movement, and on animation. The three detailed investigations that follow – of sensations and dynamics with respect to affectivity and movement, of the experiential connection between affectivity and movement, and of the defining features that Husserl identifies as “the sphere of ownness” – show specifically how temporality and movement are linked and how animation is at the heart of what is called ‘self-affection’. They show further that Nature in the form of the felt dynamics of life itself warrants substantive and assiduous phenomenological elucidation.

InOOH Hollow Spheres Synthesized by a Simple Hydrothermal Reaction

Novel micrometer-sized indium oxyhydroxide (InOOH) hollow spheres were successfully synthesized via a citric acid (CA) assisted hydrothermal process. The morphology, crystal structure, and optical properties of the product were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The optical band gap, E(g), was estimated to be 3.5 eV from the DRS spectrum, which is almost equal to that of indium oxide. Furthermore, on the basis of a series of SEM observations, phenomenological elucidation of a mechanism for the growth of the InOOH hollow spheres has been presented; key factors for the formation of the structures have been proposed.

Une lecture, avec Georges Lantéri-Laura, de quelques postulats de la pathologie du langage dans la psychiatrie du XX e siècle

While contributing to the phenomenological elucidation of the psychiatric field, George Lantéri-Laura proceeded to the diachronic study of the possible conditions of linguistic studies. He showed how, at the end of the XIX th century, a certain number of postulates - Bouillaud, Baillarger and Séglas - constituted the implicit basis of later semiology of language. We may add the postulate of the independence of word, idea and the ideational theory of the meaning proper to the philosophy of associationism. At the end of XX th Century, while the transformation of associationism took place, a theoretical change encouraging the idea of a field which is neither translinguistic, nor universal. Refusing to regard this question as closed, G Lantéri-Laura proposed his own structural reading of semantic disorders in psychiatry by including the stylistic study, and beyond the strictly structuralist point of view the study of the autobiographical narration. This approach studies the links of language and subjectivity as, linguistics of enunciation (linguistic pragmatics), as French psychoanalysis has done since the Sixties, by questioning the ordinary dialogism of the inner language and its troubles, in particular verbal hallucinations, it also studies the heterogeneity of discourse, and the modalities according to which the subject of enunciation is explicitly inscribed, or not, in statements.

On the Phenomenological Elucidation of Teaching and Learning in the Classroom

On the Phenomenological Elucidation of Teaching and Learning in the Classroom

The sequence of panic symptoms.

For phenomenological elucidation of panic attacks, 26 patients with panic attacks were requested to name the panic symptoms in order of their occurrence and specify the patterns of their abatement. Panic symptoms were found to be classifiable into three categories: early symptoms consisting of dizziness or faintness, palpitations, and sweating; intermediate symptoms dyspnea, nausea or abdominal distress, flush or chills, chest pain or discomfort, shaking, and choking; late symptoms paresthesias, fear of dying, and fear of going crazy. Panic symptoms disappeared in 61.6% irrespective of the sequence of their occurrence. Twenty-one patients were interviewed about the experience of nocturnal panic attacks, and 23.8% experienced them. These findings suggest that fear is caused by sudden physical abnormality triggered by some biological factors.