Precursors to the reception of phenomenology in France, 1889–1909

pp. 21-102

in: Christian Dupont, Phenomenology in French philosophy, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

This chapter examines precursors to the emergence of phenomenology in French thought. First, an overview of the French philosophy during the latter part of the nineteenth century is presented in order to establish the philosophical context into which phenomenology was eventually received. The major currents of thought that characterized this period—positivism , idealism , and spiritualism —are discussed in light of phenomenological viewpoints and methodologies. Special attention is devoted to comparing the philosophical approaches of some of the principal representatives of these currents, such as Charles Renouvier and Félix Ravaisson , to Husserl's phenomenological strategies in order to ascertain whether they may have contributed directly to later receptions of Husserl. The absence of strong parallels between these thinkers and Husserl leads to consideration of the new styles of philosophical thought that emerged in France just prior to the turn of the century, namely those of Henri Bergson and Maurice Blondel . The remainder of the chapter shows how the original philosophical insights of Bergson (lived duration and intuition) and Blondel (action) functioned as immediate precursors to the receptions of phenomenology in both French philosophy and French religious thought. After sketching briefly the development of these insights in the contexts of their works, specific comparisons with Husserl's works are made. The resulting positive correlations are used to support the assessment that both Bergson and Blondel anticipated aspects of Husserl's phenomenology in ways that encouraged their later followers, including both philosophers and religious thinkers, to take an interest in Husserl and other German phenomenologists.