Anexo: El método fenomenológico

Understanding the Phenomenological Method in Anthropology

Introduction to Phenomenology

• The speaker introduces the phenomenological method as a key approach in philosophical anthropology, emphasizing its introspective nature.

• Unlike traditional scientific methods that analyze external data, phenomenology requires an inward exploration of human consciousness and experiences.

Steps in Applying the Phenomenological Method

• The process begins with identifying specific topics of interest, such as intelligence or affectivity, which are fundamental aspects of human consciousness.

• It is crucial to distinguish between different phenomena within these topics to facilitate deeper understanding.

Bracketing Preconceptions

• A significant step involves setting aside preconceived notions and theories about the subject matter to allow for genuine observation of lived experiences.

• This means focusing on actual experiences rather than theoretical interpretations or assumptions about intelligence.

Analyzing Basic Phenomena

• The speaker illustrates this with the aesthetic experience, highlighting that basic feelings like "liking" can lead to deeper analysis of emotional responses and harmony.

• In studying complex concepts like intelligence, one must break down actions such as abstraction and discernment into their fundamental components.

Describing Characteristics and Intuition of Essences

• After identifying phenomena and removing biases, the next step is to describe their inherent characteristics accurately.