Ideas Toward a Phenomenology of Interruptions - by Cameron Bassiri (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book analyzes the problem of the relations between time, sleep, and the body in Husserl's phenomenology. It reconfigures the unity of the life of subjectivity in light of the phenomenon of dreamless sleep, establishes the concept of a fractured subject, and develops a phe...

Book Synopsis

This book analyzes the problem of the relations between time, sleep, and the body in Husserl's phenomenology. Itreconfigures the unity of the life of subjectivity in light of the phenomenon of dreamless sleep, establishes the concept of a fractured subject, and develops a phenomenology of interruptions.

Review Quotes

"This book delivers a highly rigorous and yet profoundly clear reading of the question of the continuity of consciousness in phenomenological thinking, particularly that of Husserl. Bassiri's arguments are new and important, as the question of consciousness remains perhaps the most popular enigma that concerns not only Continental and Phenomenological philosophers, but Anglo-American Analytics as well. I see this book making a highly significant contribution toHusserl studies and phenomenology, but also to the philosophy of consciousness in general." --Duane Armitage, University of Scranton

"Ideas Toward a Phenomenology of Interruptions offers a fresh look at an old problem in classical phenomenology: the structure and role of discontinuity and disruption in lived experience. Bassiri does an excellent job of bringing into descriptive and analytic focus a variety of marginal and liminal phenomena, such as dreamless sleep, and draws from them provocative conclusions regarding the nature of subjectivity. Rigorous, lucid, and insightful, this book makes an important contribution to contemporary Husserl scholarship." --James Dodd, Associate Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research, New York

"Bassiri has written a first-rate phenomenological study. On the basis of a thorough understanding of Husserl, he deals with a topic that has been strangely neglected in the phenomenological literature, even by Husserl himself. Phenomenology has emphasized continuity and the unity of consciousness. Bassiri reminds us that it also comprises discontinuity, breaks, interruptions. He explores the implications of these phenomena for our understanding of experience and personal identity." --David Carr, Emory University

Bassiri has written a first-rate phenomenological study. On the basis of a thorough understanding of Husserl, he deals with a topic that has been strangely neglected in the phenomenological literature, even by Husserl himself. Phenomenology has emphasized continuity and the unity of consciousness. Bassiri reminds us that it also comprises discontinuity, breaks, interruptions. He explores the implications of these phenomena for our understanding of experience and personal identity.

Ideas Toward a Phenomenology of Interruptions offers a fresh look at an old problem in classical phenomenology: the structure and role of discontinuity and disruption in lived experience. Bassiri does an excellent job of bringing into descriptive and analytic focus a variety of marginal and liminal phenomena, such as dreamless sleep, and draws from them provocative conclusions regarding the nature of subjectivity. Rigorous, lucid, and insightful, this book makes an important contribution to contemporary Husserl scholarship.

This book delivers a highly rigorous and yet profoundly clear reading of the question of the continuity of consciousness in phenomenological thinking, particularly that of Husserl. Bassiri's arguments are new and important, as the question of consciousness remains perhaps the most popular enigma that concerns not only Continental and Phenomenological philosophers, but Anglo-American Analytics as well. I see this book making a highly significant contribution toHusserl studies and phenomenology, but also to the philosophy of consciousness in general.

About the Author

Dr. Cameron Bassiri is currently a professorial lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at American University.