Reflective Analysis. A First Introduction into Phenomenological Investigation by Lester Embree

by Lester E. Embree

The basic contention of Reflective Analysis is that phenomenology is most fundamentally an approach, rather than a set of texts or phenomenologizing involves modes of observation and analysis that we can learn to perform better. The author presents his own account step by step, using everyday examples and dealing not only with perceiving and thinking (leading themes for most phenomenologists), but also with valuing and willing. Many charts and diagrams are used to summarize key distinctions, and the book also includes exercises that help readers refine this approach for themselves. The text was designed for college students, and there is a Preface for Instructors who wish to use the book in the classroom, but others will find this a friendly, helpful first introduction that they can study on their own. The work is suitable for students in all disciplines, not just philosophers, and will be especially welcome to any reader who appreciates learning by doing and prefers examples to footnotes.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Andreea · Rating 1 out of 5]

My brain wasn't smart enough to understand everything from this book.
E o carte ce îți oferă de gândit și îți exemplifică pe ce trebuie sa te axezi atunci când vrei sa analizezi o imagine din jur.

[Alexandru Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

an introductory handbook of phenomenology.
more exactly, of "doing phenomenology" - what the author calls "reflective analysis".
it may seem somehow superficial (the analyses of "the greats" i read are much more interesting and rich and deep) - but it is a good place to start - and it forms some interesting skills for a phenomenologically-informed description.
the author insists more on "taxonomic" / classificatory descriptions (which are best for the didactic use) - but also talks about descriptions with different emphases: intentional, motivational, eidetic (the basic type of phenomenological description, present in all other types).
the focus is not so much on the approaches and conclusions of "the greats", but on something that can be used / put into practice right after reading the text and working through the exercises. in this way, the technique of "reflective analysis" is put at the disposition not only of philosophy students (under and post-graduate) but also of people working in other fields - in philology, for example (the approach would be useful for me in writing an article on text types - i plan to describe different text types as encountered).
if i started teaching again, i would use it as a handbook - and lately there are very few texts i would use this way (the way of teaching i like is based on close readings of primary texts, but embree's book is very accessible and useful for working with a class).

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful introduction to the phenomenological method. In contrast to other introductory texts, Embree here is more interested in showing how to think phenomenologically rather than to inundate the reader with the technical terminology of the field. The examples he uses are invariably mundane, but then that's probably the point: even the most quotidian of experiences imply a host of phenomenologically interesting processes.

So if you're interested in how one forms an intentional stance towards an open door, or how to eidetically deconstruct the phenomenonal experience of an armchair, this could be the book for you!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book offers helpful descriptions and tools for reflective analysis (a very good trait, considering the title), the writing style was cumbersome for me.