One of the more confusing but compelling terms to which I was exposed during my new student orientation (NSO) at Fielding Graduate University was “phenomenology.”
According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, phenomenology is “the study of the development of human consciousness and self-awareness as a preface to or a part of philosophy.”
As further explained by David Rehorick, Ph.D. during a research practicum at the Fielding NSO, a phenomenological study begins with the question “what are the experiences of…” and explores a return to the lived experiences of the research participants.
In simpler terms, phenomenology is all about our individual experiences and the meaning that can be derived from them. Think of the word in relation to one of its roots: phenomenon — which according to our friends at Merriam-Webster means “an observable fact or event.”
So you might be asking yourself why I mentioned this fact to you — other than to share some knowledge with which I was imparted and intrigued?
Simple: in keeping with my grounded, balanced and somewhat avante garde approach to academics, hearing this phrase reminded me of what now must be an ancient segment from Sesame Street, the “Mahna Mahna” song!
I wasn’t alone in this realization: when our research practicum concluded I immediately grabbed my laptop and searched for this song. Once I found it, I shared the song with a colleague who smiled broadly as I the song began to play.
Perhaps you will agree as well. So, without further delay, I present you with the “Mahna Mahna” song! Watch it below:
Hey Matthew I am infected and can’t get the Mahna melody out of my head! Can’t shake it! do do do da do dadadodo . . . . . . . . . . . .
My interest in the CS phenomena is strongly influenced by the phenomenological approach. As the CS trend becomes more recognized and widely used as an approach to building businesses, it’s intersect with business/society and culture must surely create new paradigms that are worthy of interpretation. And those paradigms cannot be disconnected from their association with any one, one’s individualized participation.
An eye should be kept upon the seeds out of which an impulse originates, personal biography. The phenomenological approach should keep the relationship between the unfolding impulse and its origins intact.
The discussion of whence an impulse originates takes one into questions of personal, and professional biography. Both these are highly relevant in my mind! For me this method acknowledges the organic nature of an unfolding process whilst at the same time trying to define the often-invisible links between process and product.
I have been greatly influenced by Goethe’s approach to such questions. His plant morphology offers clues that can be carried over to questions of the unfolding human biography and how such shape and turn the world.
Warm regards, Alan
Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever. Goethe
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Matthew – What a riot! How great that you remembered that little Mahna Mahna. When I learned about phenomenology, I related it to a writing practice – Proprioceptive Writing, originated by Linda Tricter-Metcalf and Toby Simon – in which you light a candle, put on some baroque music, and write what you hear. I have been practicing it for almost 20 years and it is very phenomenological….
Writing the Mind Alive: The Proprioceptive Method for Finding Your Authentic Voice
Thanks for the good laugh
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I love the video
Manamanah
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