Phenomenology, Relation Philosophy, Empiricism, Non religious Existentialism, Religious Existentialism...

• Mission Statement by Brian O'Neill, 10/31/96
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    • To be or not to be....eh? by Gunter O. Swoboda, 11/23/96
      
      

I like the statements of coleagues that enphsize experience, although I think also, as they agree I think, that we're BEYOND the time in which just experience is enough. In the teoretical level, we need to define what experience means (although in practice not). It means something to empiricism, and some different thing to phenomenology. There is still an acute conflict INSIDE Gestaltherapy therapy between conflicting approaches: epistemological approaches, life philosophy approaches. I enphasize the conflicting nature of the approaches. Phenomenology and empiricism are quite conflictive as epitemologies and world vision perspectives. An existential philosophy, non religious, that enphsizes the sovereignity of the senses, the body of awarenss is quite conflictive with a religous approach that puts the value not in this body and in this life but in the life after death. This mix with a conflict -- encounter of waters -- of an european (except Englang, which is closer to the USA) way of thinking and the North American one -- Reflection, theorisation X Pragmatism, empiricism. OK! Lets live intensely the conflict! Let me do a bit of my part: We can't define GT, I think, without assuming a phenomenological epistemology and world vision. And specially a phenomenological aprehension and special regard for the other in its difference and autonomy. To value the difference of the otherness of the other is fundamental, and to value it as a phenomenological private self, particularly for itself, also. I think we can't do this from an empiricist approach... The life philosophy, which is implicit in GT is clearly existential and dialogic, and this is fundamental. The radical recognizing of the innocence of life and of the body. And the deep respect for the affirmation of life in its spontaneity, includig when it is suffering. This is I think basic in GT. Also I think we need to clarify the good and balanced interaction between phenomenology, existentialism and pragmatism. The pragmatic perspective was and seems to be fundamental: if it can avoid to be transformed in row empiricism...

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