Ordinary Language Philosophy and Phenomenology. Research Trends

• Applicant: Dr. Diego D' Angelo
• Subject Area: Theoretical Philosophy
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 526190814

In recent years, philosophical debates have increasingly expressed the need to overcome the classical division between analytical and continental philosophy. In this context, English-language traditions, which developed mainly under the influence of Gottlob Frege, Rudolf Carnap and Ludwig Wittgenstein, are contrasted with mainly European traditions, which refer to German idealism, phenomenology and critical theory, among others. The project aims to contribute to bringing both traditions into conversation on a methodological level. In doing so, the envisaged networking of young researchers aims to examine the connection between phenomenology and ordinary language philosophy with regard to the question of whether and how the two methods can cross-fertilise each other and/or whether irreconcilable tensions must remain. Historically, there have been several points of contact and attempts at dialogue between the two traditions since their beginnings. Systematically, it seems reasonable to assume that an analysis of ordinary language and a description of lived experience are not mutually exclusive, but can be brought into a fruitful dialogue. The aim is thus to address tensions and commonalities between the two methods of philosophy in a cooperative way of working. The research project has two main aims. On the one hand, phenomenological philosophy often starts from an analysis of the use of words, which then leads to a factual analysis, albeit in a mostly methodologically unreflective way. Accordingly, the project presented here aims to investigate the methodological status of this approach. On the other hand, the philosophy of everyday language leads to an analysis of things - which varies from author to author - but is often not carried out: Within the framework of the network, it is to be clarified whether phenomenology can provide precisely this envisaged factual analysis. This will be done by developing a cartography of contemporary research positions on the basis of four themes: The heuristic role of language; the role of language in theorising; the formative role of language; and the performative role of language.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Charlotte Gauvry