The Theory Of Phenomenological Structuralism

This work explores phenomenological structural sociology, specifically the use of phenomenological structuralism in an effort to resolve the structure/agency problematic of the social sciences within structurationist sociological theory. Through its analysis and critique of structurationist sociology, the underlying tenets of this problematic of the social sciences are outlined. The text goes on to synthesize Haitian and Vilokan idealism, phenomenology, Althusserian structural Marxism, quantum mechanics, and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s notion of language games in order to offer an alternative reading of the structure/agency problematic, which holds onto the notions of structure, duality, dualism, and the individual’s rational ability to choose to account for the constitution of the individual and society in the resource framework of the earth.

This work explores the origin and nature of language and meaning according to Paul C. Mocombe’s structurationist theory of phenomenological structuralism. It posits that language is a tool used in human society both to capture the nature of reality as such, and how we ought to recursively organize and reproduce our being-in-the-world within the aforementioned systemicity or structure despite the human potential to defer meaning in ego-centered communicative discourse.

Positioning itself within the Continental tradition, Inscriptions is an interwoven set of investigations into the differences between phenomenology and structuralism, and a cohesive and thoroughgoing inquiry into the contemporary status of Continental philosophy. In Inscriptions, Hugh J. Silverman investigates two divergent yet related philosophical movements: phenomenology from the later Husserl through Sartre and Heidegger to Merleau-Ponty, and structuralism from de Saussure through Levi-Strauss and Lacan to Barthes. This reading of the tradition culminates in an assessment of Derrida and Foucault. From this foundation, Silverman moves beyond structuralism and phenomenology, and develops his own philosophical position in the context of semiotics, hermeneutics, and deconstruction. A new preface by the author updates this classic text.

This volume is composed chiefly of papers first presented and discussed at the Research Symposium on Feminist Phenomenology held November 18-19, 1994 in Delray Beach, Florida. Those papers have been revised and expanded for publication in the present volume and several essays have been added. We would like to thank very much all the participants in the symposium, including the session chairs and others in attendance, whose interest and enthusiasm contributed greatly. The symposium and this volume, including the name for it, were conceived of by Lester Embree, who also arranged sponsorship, local arrangements, and publication through the William F. Dietrich Eminent Scholar Chair at Florida Atlantic University and the Center for Advanced Research in Phenomenology, Inc. The invitees were decided upon jointly. Linda Fisher has been chiefly responsible for the editing and the preparation of the camera-ready copy. Linda Fisher Lester Embree Acknowledgments The editing and preparation of this volume has spanned several cities and two continents and I am indebted to many people from each place.

This issue of the Bucknell Review studies the achievements of phenomenology and structuralism and their role in philosophy and in preparing for the emergence of semiotics. The articles in this volume reflect the preoccupations of the past decade. It is hoped that these essays will suggest some practical critical analysis on this subject.