From phenomenology to metaphysics

by Remigius C. Kwant

"Phenomenology has often been accused of denying metaphysics and making metaphysical reflection impossible. Several philosophers have tried to reconcile phenomenology with traditional metaphysics, but the synthesis usually appeared to be a hybrid of heterogeneous elements. Metaphysics cannot be added to phenomenology, but must be discovered in it. Merleau-Ponty has discovered the metaphysical implications of his phenomenological starting-point. Dr. Kwant describes Merleau-Ponty's way from phenomenology to metaphysics in his posthumous work, The Visible and the Invisible. Merleau-Ponty does not deny any of his former points of view in the new book, but he reflects upon his former principles. He now thinks that his former starting-point namely, the intentional relationship between the body-subject and the world, is not the real point of philosophical reflection. This relationship implies a duality and the philosopher is not allowed to start from duality. Merleau-Ponty now considers this