Article/Publication Details

CALL FOR PAPERS
HORIZON. STUDIES IN PHENOMENOLOGY
Special Issue (Vol. 13, No. 1, 2024)
“Analytical Philosophy & Phenomenology”

Abstract

Do phenomenology and analytic philosophy have common topics to talk about? Answering this question is not easy since the criteria for what today can be considered analytic philosophy or phenomenology are rather vague and often controversial. It is difficult to say whether in both cases we are talking about a philosophical movement, a distinctive style of philosophizing, or a particular intellectual climate in research. Many, however, are not particularly bothered by the existence of such criteria. It is enough, in their view, to regard analytic philosophy and phenomenology as notional labels that help in one's thinking as a first approximation. One can, of course, speak of two philosophical traditions in order to point to a certain set of problems and methods for solving them. But in this case, too, we are faced with the obvious fact that this totality of problems and methods is of an open character. For example, in the case of analytic philosophy it is difficult to say whether it has an orthodox core, or what might be considered its official teaching. Whereas in the case of phenomenology the role of orthodoxy still seems to be played by the works of E. Husserl. However, "heresies" today coexist quite peacefully with orthodoxy, and are often favorably perceived by it as its legitimate heirs and successors.

Nevertheless, despite the vagueness of the criteria for belonging to the either tradition, phenomenology and analytical philosophy have something in common. And that "something" could serve as a basis for a dialogue between traditions. As a historical phenomena, the two traditions have their origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Moreover, they have at least one common source – the works of G. Frege, which inspired B. Russell and E. Husserl, the two official founding fathers of analytic philosophy and phenomenology, respectively. However, more than a century after the birth of these philosophical traditions, it can be said that they have had different fates, both in terms of their internal development and in terms of their spread and influence on the humanities. Shared origins do not yet guarantee any mutual understanding or interest in each other.

Indeed, apart from the origins, another common feature for both traditions is their almost complete disregard for each other, at times reminiscent of the Cold War. This is even more surprising given that both traditions initially declared rigor, clarity, and systematic approach in solving certain problems. Of course, one cannot deny the fact of their mutual, albeit latent, influence on each other. For example, one of the most prominent representatives of analytical philosophy, W. Sellars, began by studying phenomenology under the supervision of M. Farber. And this could not but be reflected in his works, although he rarely mentioned Husserl. After all, it was thanks to phenomenology that concepts such as intentionality, intersubjectivity, and constitution became commonplace in analytic philosophy. And this is not only about concepts, but also about research topics and ways of posing problems. Otherwise, however, this mutual influence was more limited to restrained malevolence and disparaging remarks.

Today, however, the situation is gradually changing, and we can observe how both traditions are converging in a variety of fields of research, be they problems of linguistic meaning, perception, other minds, etc. From the frequent calls for dialogue, philosophers seem to have finally moved on. Therefore, in addition to the history of the relationship between analytic philosophy and phenomenology, the prospects for their further collaboration are of particular interest today.

We would be glad to see materials devoted to the following headings, although they, of course, may not be limited to this list:

Language and knowledge

• Meaning and sense
• Certainty and reliable knowledge
• Conceptual and non-conceptual content of experience
• The problem of the world
• Intersubjectivity
• A priori knowledge

Psychology

• Consciousness and perception
• The problem of other minds
• Intentionality
• Free will
• Phenomenology and Cognitive Science
• Mental causality
• Psychology of perception
• Mind-body problem

Society, history and ethics

• History of the relationship between analytic philosophy and phenomenology
• A comparative analysis of problems and methods of analytic philosophy and phenomenology
• Ethics
• Value judgments
• Society and Lifeworld
• History and Narrative

The articles can be written in Russian and English – both languages are acceptable (acceptable volume of an article should have 30.000-50.000 characters including spaces, footnotes, references, abstracts and key words).

Please find the link to the Author Guide over here

Deadline for submissions: December 1, 2023
Deadline for decision: January 15, 2024
Deadline for publication: June 30, 2024

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