The Overt Critique of Idealism in Phenomenology of Perception

Abstract

Abstract Chapter 2 considered Merleau-Ponty’s direct references to idealism in publications prior to Phenomenology. Phenomenology’s references are much more extensive, and often more critical, so they receive their own discussion in this chapter. “Idealism” is directly referenced twenty-six times in the book. The bulk of these references, especially in the Preface, are highly critical. This chapter will examine the passages in Phenomenology where idealism is explicitly criticized, focusing on the Preface and the chapter “Freedom.” These considerations show that, overall, Merleau-Ponty equates idealism with a particularly strong form of intellectualism that fails to integrate “the real.” Nevertheless, this does not necessarily entail that Merleau-Ponty’s own view as a whole is anti-idealist.