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Document Details : Title: Perceptual Faith and Transcendental Illusion Author(s): CHU, Ming Hon Journal: Etudes phénoménologiques - Phenomenological Studies Volume: 10 Date: 2026 Pages: 31-54 DOI: 10.2143/EPH.10.0.3295006 Abstract : It has become a standard view that Merleau-Ponty’s famous statement on the impossibility of a complete reduction challenges Husserl’s radical reflection, exemplified by the infamous fantasy of a possible world-annihilation in Ideas I. Interpreters commonly recognise the perceptual faith in the world as a stronghold for checking the unlimited expansion of theoretical speculation. This paper attempts to show how Husserl might retrospectively respond to the widespread challenge inspired by Merleau-Ponty. Going through his distinction between two orders of rationality in Things and Space, as well as the empirical and the transcendental illusion (Schein) in First Philosophy, we will show how the bold fantasy of Husserl is indeed compatible with our pre-reflective faith in the world. This clarification of Husserl’s position will then equip us with a better vision to learn where the divergence between the two phenomenologists truly lies. |
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