Naturalization of Phenomenology

Phenomenology has been integrated into the cognitive sciences through projects aimed at naturalizing it. 


This approach seeks to articulate rigorous phenomenological descriptions with empirical methods from neuroscience and cognitive psychology, providing a deeper understanding of the neural and bodily bases of subjective experience. 


Researchers such as Francisco Varela (1996) introduced neurophenomenology, emphasizing the importance of the first-person perspective in the study of the mind. 


Shaun Gallagher (2003) proposed front-loaded phenomenology, suggesting that phenomenological insights can inform the design of empirical experiments. 


Claire Petitmengin (2006) contributed microphenomenology, an interview technique that thoroughly explores lived experience, enabling access to pre-conscious dimensions that are often inaccessible.

References

Varela, F. (1996). Neurophenomenology: A methodological remedy for the hard problem. Journal of Consciousness Studies 3 (4):330-49.

Gallagher, S. (2003). Phenomenology and Experimental Design: Toward a Phenomenologically Enlightened Experimental Science. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 10(9-10), 85–99.

Petitmengin, C. (2006). Describing one’s subjective experience in the second person: An interview method for the science of consciousness. Phenom Cogn Sci 5, 229–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-006-9022-2



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