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Phenomena: how things appear

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In Step 1.6, Dan Zahavi emphasised that phenomenology is concerned with the way things appear for us when
we experience them. In brief, phenomenologists are interested in the ‘how’ rather than in the ‘what’ of our
experience.

So, what do we mean by the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’? Let’s look at a simple example. Things can appear to
us in very different ways: I can see and use an object, look at a picture of it in a book or close my eyes and
imagine an object. For the moment, let’s focus on how a thing appears to us in a very practical sense: when we
can see and use it.

If we focus on how an object, for example a cup, appears to us perceptually, it will appear differently depending
on the light, the angle, and so on. We will see the cup from one perspective but, in fact, we never see the whole
cup. There are always aspects which, from our perspective, we cannot see. Still, we perceive the cup as a cup, as
a ‘wholeness’.

The perceived objects are at the same time also always situated in a particular context. Depending on the
context, the same object can have different meanings: on the kitchen table, in a box with objects belonging to a
loved one or in a shop.

Dan Zahavi writes:

‘Perceptual experience consequently involves an interplay of presence and absence. When we

perceive an object, we always experience more than what is intuitively presented. The front that we
do see points to other sides of the [object] that are momentarily absent, but which can be revealed
by further exploration. More generally speaking, what we see is never given in isolation, but is
surrounded by and situated in a horizon that affects the meaning of what we see.’ 2

Different perspectives of a cup.

Phenomenology emphasises the fundamental connection between subject and object. When we say that objects
appear perceptually, from the perspective of the perceiver, what does it say about the perceiver? To see the
object, touch it, walk around it (that is, to engage with the object) we need a body. The perceiver will have to be
in the same space as the object, and to be embodied.

Furthermore, observes Zahavi, to add to the considerations above, we should be aware that when an object
appears to us, it does not appear to each one of us as our private object, it is given to us as like a public object, as
one that others can also see, study or use.
Portfolio
Take another object, such as a bag standing close to your desk. Describe what you immediately perceive (for
example, this is my old bag, brown and made of leather …) then try to write what you actually ‘see’. Consider
and list different aspects that are implicit and given to you as part of your perception of the object chosen.

Draft a 50–100-word answer.

Post a summary of your answer in the discussion below and respond to any other posts that resonate with you.

References
2 Zahavi, D. (2018) Phenomenology: The Basics. London and New York: Routledge, p. 11.

© The Open University

10 comments
Step complete
Who are the key figures in phenomenological thought?discussion
Intentionality: being directed towards an objectvideo

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SUAT TANIR
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10 hours10h

I think we should understand not only what we see but also the causes of what we see to achieve our
conscioun balance. I think this is phenomenology.

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AC
Andrew Mark Creighton
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25 JUN25 JUN

I see a small aloe vera plant that I keep on my desk that was gifted to me by a colleague. It is in a small
white pot and has six leaves, of which four are pointed away from me and two are pointed two towards
me. The meaning of the plant to me, as a gift from a colleague, is not explicitly notable besides from my
own and my colleague's view. However, the more physical general aspects of the plant, its number of
leaves and the colour of the pot, are more 'public' and implicit.

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MR
Mohammed Ridha
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25 JUN25 JUN

I see a book right now, I almost see a 3 surfaces of it one surface that facing me is a violet rectangular
back, the other surface are the one facing above, those two surfaces are having medium sized yellow
inscriptions. the other surface is stratified white sheets with a yellow ribbon emerging from it.

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Paul O
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24 JUN24 JUN

I see this oblong object before me with one white paper side, and with a dark paper cover on the top down
one side. I see it as a book (guessing that two more sides are also paper). To me it is seen as a thick book,
about a ream of paper thick, with a printed cover and text, ‘‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.

I see it with interest, for in my seeing it, in the recognition of it as the book it is, I am already inclined
favourably towards it as I’ve wanted to read Dumas’ novel since buying it. The cover has an image of a
castle and a swashbuckling sailor with a duelling pistol, which puts me in a mood for period intrigue. It is
a perception filled with anticipation.

(edited)
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TS
Tomko Settgast
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24 JUN24 JUN

I perceive my desk lamp, currently standing on the right side of my desk. It is made of some kind of metal
and has a paint in a somewhat petrolish colour, both making the lamp appear way older than it actually is.
Although, I can only perceive on side of the shade with the bulb turned away from me I still can "see" it
there. The lamp appears to me in its function, i.e. I "see" it hepling me sseing in the dark.

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CG
Cleison Guimarães
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23 JUN23 JUN

I see a book. It has lyrics on the cover. Letters indicating the title, author and publisher. The letters are
black and the cover is a certain shade of red. Now I see the back of the book. It is a darker color in red. In
the position I'm in, I can't see the back cover.

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JC
Jenny Chambers
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23 JUN23 JUN

I see a bag hanging from a hook and it is quite large and weighted by the number of things in it. When I
close my eyes and try to see it it looks much smaller and I have to trace its contours and details.

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CJ
Claire J
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23 JUN23 JUN

A plastic travel mug is sitting on the desk. It is solid white, shiny, with a patent blue and grey geometric
pattern painted on the outside. There has a dull grey lid with a hole in the rim as well as a dull grey band
around the centre. The blue and grey geometric diamond painted pattern has been rubbed off from the
middle down. There are brown liquid stains around the rim and the hole in the lid.

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AA
Amy Allan
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23 JUN23 JUN

I am looking at my water bottle.

It appears hollow but is also full. The fluid inside is clear so I can see through to the other side, although
the image is not clear and rather blurry - I can make out colour but not shape. It stands proud on my table
and appears very calm, it almost looks as though it has nothing inside of it, but I know it has. The lid looks
hard in comparison to the rest of the bottle, which is made from a different plastic. Above the label, there
are very small pockets of fluid which have gathered and almost appear as if they're floating or are stuck to
the inside of the bottle. If I tap this area on the bottle, they move and may join the rest of the fluid,
changing the appearance once more.

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BS
Bob Spires
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22 JUN22 JUN

I am looking at my smartphone. It is black and shiny. I see a reflection of the ceiling in the glass of the
screen. It appears to be small enough to hold in my hand. It appears smooth on the surface with round
edges that are appealing to my eye. There are small breaks in the uniformity of the surfaces which
includes a port for a charging cable, a small slit for a speaker for listening to phone calls, and small wholes
for speakers. It also has buttons on either side.

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