Phenomenology and experimental design - Toward a phenomenologically enlightened experimental science

    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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