Phenomenology and Existentialism (review)

222 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY experience can arise. Nevertheless, the refutation of intuitional ontologism (127) clings to notions like perception, feeling, intuition, experience (of values) which have notions like knowledge and cognition for synonyms (117, n. 448). Pointing to these synonyms and stressing them, the Augustinist could deny the contradiction which the Thomist tries to indicate (122), in other words that it is the same feeling having to be recognized and being unable to do so. The complex of gnoseological elements includes, according to Hessen, some intellectualism, and controversy is just what it must have to guarantee a correct acknowledgement of values. This is the first alternative to which the problem can be reduced. On the other hand, for Mynarek a very direct mystical experience like that of Tberesia de Jesu can convey the absolute certitude of the conviction that God Himself is present (127-142). But this is possible only on the two highest ranks of supernatural impressions (who knows the hierarchy of religious feelings to be able to define its lower ranks?). Whereas for Hessen in every religions experience and life is undoubtable objective-ontological knowledge of God. Only because Mynarek silently demands Hessen to admit that hierarchy as a canonical one, he can reproach Hessen with the substitution of a part (the two highest ranks) for the whole (mystical-religious life in general). Anyhow we will follow Mynarek in saying that either in the whole of religious life including intellect and subsequent faith or in its utter ecstatic heights, and supposedly then, without any rational frame (bu~ is this true for the examples quoted: Moses, Paulus, Augustinus, Tberesia?), religion founds itself. If we do really have here the totum, or if a pars is set pro toto (166), that is the other alternative to which the problem can be reduced. There may be readers who for other reasons than either opponent ever faced did not become aware of the importance of these alternatives until now, and for them the discussion presented with this book, however exact it may be, will remain strange and stale. CARSTEN O~LPE Berlin, Germany Phenomenology and Existentialism. Ed. Edward N. Lee and Maurice Mandelbaum. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1967. Pp. viii+268) This volume consists of ten essays dealing with major figures and issues in phenomenology and existentialism. Nine of these essays were first presented as a lecture series at Johns Hopkins University in the spring of 1966. The tenth is a paper by J. Glenn Gray entiflecl "Poets and Thinkers: Their Kindred Roles in the Philosophy of Martin Heidegger." Like the original lecture series, this collection is intended "to provide a moderately advanced introduction to the contemporary movements of phenomenology and existentialism." The order and orientation of the essays are essentially historical, though, as the editors explain, "no attempt has been made to give a full or comprehensive history of these movements." This book has little in common with the all too familiar "Introduction to Existentialism ." The essays presented here are "introductory" only in the sense that they do not presuppose a detailed knowledge of the philosophical works under discussion. What is presupposed, in almost every case, is a knowledge of the history of modern philosophy and a close acquaintance with certain basic philosophical problems. It seems likely, therefore, that this book will prove of greatest value to students and teachers of BOOK REVIEWS 223 philosophy who do not have an extensive background in phenomenology or existentialism . The specialist in these areas will undoubtedly find much of the material elementary . Yet the many instances of original research, interpretation, and analysis should be ample reward for his time and indulgence. The ten essays presented in this volume fall into three general groups. The largest group contains six studies of specific themes in the works of individual philosophers. This group includes: (1) A clear and careful examination of Franz Brentano's struggle with the principle of intentionality, by Roderick Chisholm. Chisholm concludes his essay by formulating a promising logical criterion for distinguishing intentional concepts. (2) An essay by Aron Gurwitsch which presents Husserl's theory of intentionality as an attempt to overcome certain fundamental difficulties encountered by earlier philosophers of consciousness, especially Descartes...