M10: Phenomenology of Feelings

Max Scheler

German philosopher that worked on phenomenology and ethics, and was also interested in philosophical anthropology

Expanded the work of Edmund Husserl

Edmund Husserl

Founder of phenomenology

Jose Ortega y Gasset

Praised Husserl as “the first man of philosophical paradise” because of how deep his insights were

Systematic method

Husser’s approach towards phenomenology

Spiritual attitude

Scheler believed that phenomenology was a way of seeing the world with your heart and spirit, not just your mind

A priori

Means something that exists even before you think about it

Scheler believed values already exist within experiences

Geisteshaltung

“Spiritual posture” — a kind of oppennes, sensitivity, and moral awareness

Love

The key to seeing the deepest truths

Begins philosophy instead of starting with cold analysis

Opens our eyes to higher values, while hatred closes our hearts and blocks us from understanding deeper truths

Logical Individual’s approach

Reason focuses only on facts, rules, and logic

Can miss the human side

Axiological Individual’s approach

Values like love, respect, compassion, and justice are not purely logical.

They are felt through emotions and inner experiences

Can lack objective structure or logic if emotions run wild

Scheler’s Material Value Ethics

Values are a priori and are felt phenomena

They are not objective realities but exist in relation to value-bearers

Values are intrinsically tied to emotions and are discovered through feelings

Criticized Kant for neglecting the role of emotions in moral life

Kant’s Formal Ethics

Focused on duty and universal moral laws, which are based on reason rather that emotions

Existence of positive values

The existence of a positive value is itself a positive value

Existence of negative values

The existence of a negative value is itself a negative value

Non-existence of positive values

The absence of a positive value is a negative value

Non-existence of negative values

The absence of a negative value is a positive value

Good

is the realization of a positive value in the sphere of willing

is also the realization of a higher value over a lower one

Evil

is the realization of a negative value in the sphere of willing

is also the realization of a lower value at the expense of a higher one

Manuel Dy

Says that a philosophy about people is incomplete without a philosophy of love

Without love, life has no meaning. Love shapes whi we are

Loneliness and Love

Beginning of love

As we grow, we become more aware of being separate individuals — this creates a sense of emptiness or longing

We naturally seek others to understand, accept, and complete us

Equality in love

Love respects the fact that we are different people

Real love allows oneness in difference—we become united without losing ourselves

Loving encounter

Love happens when two free people choose to share themselves with each other

Requires I-Thou communication

Not just admiring qualities in the other person; recognizing and accepting their whole self

What makes love real

Caring for their well-being, supporting their freedom to be themselves, helping them grow

Self-Discovery through Love

In loving others, we discover who we are

To give yourself, you must first know and value yourself

Loving others helps us learn how to love ourselves better

What if love is not returned

Rejection hurts, but helps us grow

Unreciprocated love teaches us to reflect, develop inner strength, and that love cannot be bought or forced

Creativity in Love

When love is mutual, it creates a new shared life, a “we”

Union in Love

True love does not erase individual identities

Lovers do not become one person; instead, they become more themselves by loving each other

This is called the paradox of love: unity without losing individuality

The Gift of Self

Love is a gift of yourself — your ideas, feelings, experiences, and dreams

This gift is not a trade; it is free and unconditional

Real love is not controlling; it respects the other person’s freedom to be who they are

Historical Love (Concrete Love)

Real love is not for an ideal or perfect person—it’s for a real, imperfect human being

You love someone with all their flaws, mistakes, and struggles

Love does not demand perfection; it embraces reality

Equality in Freedom

True love allows both people to remain free

Love is not slavery—it’s a partnership between equals

You are not just giving up your freedom—you freely choose to love

Total, Eternal, and Sacred Love

Real love involves:

• Your whole self (body, mind, and soul)

• A lifelong commitment

• Respect for the other’s sacred uniqueness

True love catches a glimpse of eternity—something that can endure even beyond death

Phenomenology

Engagement of phenomena, while simultaneously a waiting for its self-giveness; it is not a methodical procedure of observation as if its object is stationary