Phenomenology of Human Understanding

by Brian Cronin

Book cover: Phenomenology of Human Understanding

Extent: 299 pages

Publisher: The Lutterworth Press

Subjects: Philosophy

Language: English

Paperback (No longer our product)

(September 2018)

ISBN: 9780718895358

5.98 x 9.02 inches

Price: $45.00

On back order

PDF (No longer our product)

(September 2018)

ISBN: 9780718847623

Price: $33.00

An accessible introduction to the question of human knowing, offering a map of the cognitive activities that lead us towards truth and value.


The problem of human knowing has been foundational for the enterprise of philosophy since the time of Descartes. The great philosophers have offered different accounts of the power and limits of human knowing but no generally acceptable system has emerged. Contemporary writers have almost given up on this most intractable issue. In this book, Brian Cronin suggests using the method of introspective description to identify the characteristics of the act of human understanding and knowing. Introspection–far from being private and unverifiable–can be public, communal, and verifiable. If we can describe our dreams and our feelings, then, we can describe our acts of understanding. Using concrete examples, one can identify the activities involved–namely, questioning, researching, getting an idea, expressing a concept, reflecting on the evidence and inferring a conclusion. Each of these activities can be described clearly and in great detail. If we perform these activities well, we can understand and know both truth and value. The text invites readers to verify each and every statement in their own experience of understanding. This is a detailed and verifiable account of human knowing: an extremely valuable contribution to philosophy and a solution to the foundational problem of knowing.

  • By (author) Cronin Brian

"Nothing is more important for the cultural life of our age than accurate self-knowledge. This book by Brian Cronin addresses that challenge--and delivers. Written in a direct and simple style, the book leads the reader on a profound journey of transformation--to themselves and to the world. I have used Cronin's previous works with both faculty and students to their great benefit. I could not recommend this book more highly." Richard M. Liddy, Seton Hall University
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