Phenomenon

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A phenomenon (Greek: φαινόμενo, pl. φαινόμενα) is an observable event or, quite literally, something that can be seen. Derived from the noun φαινόμενον (phainomenon, df. appearance), it is also related to the verb φαινειν (phainein, df. to show). Its plural is phenomena.

Contents 1 General sense and use 2 Kant's use of phenomenon 3 Notes and references 4 See also 5 Quotations 6 External links

General sense and use

In general, apart from its original use as a term in philosophy, phenomenon stands for any observable event. Some observable events are commonplace, others require delicate manipulation of expensive and sensitive equipment. Phenomena make up the raw data of science, and are often exploited by technology. Phenomena mean a "surprising development" or "unusually successful person".^[1][2][3]

Kant's use of phenomenon

Phenomenon has a specialized meaning in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant who contrasted the term phenomenon with noumenon in the Critique of Pure Reason. Phenomena constitute the world as we experience it, as opposed to the world as it exists independently of our experiences (things-in-themselves, 'das Ding an sich'). Humans cannot, according to Kant, know things-in-themselves, only things as we experience them. The concept of 'phenomena' relates to the tradition of philosophy called phenomenology. Leading figures in phenomenology - the science of objects as they appear - include Hegel, Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty and Derrida. Kant's account of phenomena has also been influential in the development of psychodynamic models of psychology, and of theories concerning the ways in which the brain, mind and external world interact.^{[citation needed]}

Notes and references

1. ^ Phenomenon at Wordnet
2. ^ Cambridge Online Dictionary: Phenomenon as object
3. ^ Cambridge Online Dictionary: Phenomenon as success

See also

• Scientific phenomena named after people
• Phenomenalism
• Phenomenology
• Existentialism

Quotations

• "No phenomenon is a phenomenon until it is an observed phenomenon" Niels Bohr.
• "Scientific theory is a contrived foothold in the chaos of living phenomena." - Wilhelm Reich
• "To study the phenomenon of disease without books is to sail an uncharted sea, while to study books without patients is not to go to sea at all." Sir William Osler
• "If we knew all the laws of Nature, we should need only fact, or the description of one actual phenomenon, to infer all the particular results at that point." Henry David Thoreau

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