Title

Phenomenology and experimental design - Toward a phenomenologically enlightened experimental science

Authors

Authors

S. Gallagher

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Conscious. Stud.

Keywords

AGENCY; EXPERIENCE; CONSCIOUSNESS; PERCEPTION; SIMULATION; SYNCHRONY; SELF; Philosophy; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Abstract

I review three answers to the question: How can phenomenology contribute to the experimental cognitive neurosciences? The first approach, neurophenomenology, employs phenomenological method and training, and uses first-person reports not just as more data for analysis, but to generate descriptive categories that are intersubjectively and scientifically validated, and are then used to interpret results that correlate with objective measurements of behaviour and brain activity. A second approach, indirect phenomenology, is shown to be problematic in a number of ways. Indirect phenomenology is generally put to work after the experiment, in critical or creative interpretations of the scientific evidence. Ultimately, however, proposals for the indirect use of phenomenology lead back to methodological questions about the direct use of phenomenology in experimental design. The third approach, 'front-loaded' phenomenology, suggests that the results of phenomenological investigations can be used in the design of empirical ones. Concepts or clarifications that have been worked out phenomenologically may operate as a partial framework for experimentation.

Journal Title

Journal of Consciousness Studies

Volume

10

Issue/Number

9-10

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

85

Last Page

99

WOS Identifier

WOS:000185994600007

ISSN

1355-8250

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