Awareness

• Gestalt Therapy: Phenomenological Behaviourism? by Brian O'Neill, 11/9/96
  
  

I believe that the understanding of what is leads to an awareness of behavior in the present. I think that phenomenology transcends any contempory understanding of human behavior and is definitely an a proiri factor to insight into human condition. I strongly suggest to anyone who is invested in understanding human behavior that they review the writtings of Edvard Husserel (the Father of Modern Day Phenomenology) specifically an article entitled " Phenomenology and the Crise of Modern Philosophy". Husserel's belief's in the power of cognitive processes to overcome the limitations of subjective understanding are quite impressive. The use of Ideation/Mediation/Reduction as a process to give rise to the "in itself" is a discipline which would prove of considerable value to any contempory therapist. I would add (my own addendum) the concept of "Fusion" which would indicate the final step in the process. The existentialist's would strongly disagree with this construct. Review Sartre's "Transcendence of the Ego" or "Being in Nothingness" (emphasis on the concept of the existential unconsciuosness). These are basically two mutually exclusive philosophies (Phenomenology vs Existentialism). I was so moved by Husserel's theories that I titled three of my metal sculptures after his concepts. For a good comparison/contrast I would suggest reading Martin Hiediger on existentialism and contrast it with Husserel's position. I hope this diatrobe was useful................Ed

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