Eidetic reduction
Encyclopedia
Eidetic reduction is a technique in the study of essence
s in phenomenology whose goal is to identify the basic components of phenomena. Eidetic reduction requires that a phenomenologist examine the essence of a mental object, be it a simple mental act, or the unity of consciousness itself, with the intention of drawing out the absolutely necessary and invariable components that make the mental object what it is. This reduction is done with the intention of removing what is perceived, and leaving only what is required.
Take for example Descartes's piece of wax (not as a mental object, but as a demonstration of the concept of reduction). It appears to be opaque, flat, hard, extended to certain dimensions in space. It has a certain feel, smell, taste. Most of these qualities can be negated as necessary to the piece of wax continuing to be a piece of wax; the smell, taste, texture, opacity. If heated, it will continue to be the same piece of wax, the same molecules. However, the taste may change, the smell may become more noticeable, the texture will obviously change, it will become clear if heated to the point of melting etc. The only things that remain (its extension into space, chemical makeup, and mass) are the things that are required for the existence of that piece of wax.
Eidetic reduction is a form of imaginative variation by which you attempt to reduce phenomenon into its necessary essences. This is done by theoretically changing different elements (while mentally observing whether or not the phenomenon changes) of a practical object to learn which characteristics are necessary for it to be it without being something else. If a characteristic is changed, and the object remains unchanged, the characteristic is unnecessary to the essence of the object, and vice versa.
The basic steps of an eidetic reduction are threefold: first, you must choose some specific example (i.e. Descartes' wax). Then, you vary the example imaginatively. The third step involves figuring out that which cannot be eliminated while the example remains itself. That which cannot be eliminated is part of the example's essence.
As an instructive process, eidetic reduction might be viewed as processes of abstraction; the works of Whitehead and Russell in their Principia Mathematica
could give one a taste of those processes, or even the simple contemplation of mathematics itself in use: "How many ideas have you?" and the respondent may claim, "Just two."
In moral conducts, some philosophers attempt to give us a simpler "Way" (Taoism
), forms of experiential explanation (Four Noble Truths
) or suggested conduct (Noble Eightfold Path
, Ten Commandments
, etc.).
In life it seems eidetic reductions are rather like harvesting—be it wheat from chaff, good horses from nags, friends from amongst the mob—or good coins from counterfeits. In real terms the idea of "harvesting," for example, could be shorn of some its broader associations, such as genocide, mass murder and abortion. This would clue, define to us an opposite to eidetic reduction, namely the political slanting by chronic association, false connotation and plain lying, and/or deceits by repetitions or hypnosis.
Essence
In philosophy, essence is the attribute or set of attributes that make an object or substance what it fundamentally is, and which it has by necessity, and without which it loses its identity. Essence is contrasted with accident: a property that the object or substance has contingently, without...
s in phenomenology whose goal is to identify the basic components of phenomena. Eidetic reduction requires that a phenomenologist examine the essence of a mental object, be it a simple mental act, or the unity of consciousness itself, with the intention of drawing out the absolutely necessary and invariable components that make the mental object what it is. This reduction is done with the intention of removing what is perceived, and leaving only what is required.
Take for example Descartes's piece of wax (not as a mental object, but as a demonstration of the concept of reduction). It appears to be opaque, flat, hard, extended to certain dimensions in space. It has a certain feel, smell, taste. Most of these qualities can be negated as necessary to the piece of wax continuing to be a piece of wax; the smell, taste, texture, opacity. If heated, it will continue to be the same piece of wax, the same molecules. However, the taste may change, the smell may become more noticeable, the texture will obviously change, it will become clear if heated to the point of melting etc. The only things that remain (its extension into space, chemical makeup, and mass) are the things that are required for the existence of that piece of wax.
Eidetic reduction is a form of imaginative variation by which you attempt to reduce phenomenon into its necessary essences. This is done by theoretically changing different elements (while mentally observing whether or not the phenomenon changes) of a practical object to learn which characteristics are necessary for it to be it without being something else. If a characteristic is changed, and the object remains unchanged, the characteristic is unnecessary to the essence of the object, and vice versa.
The basic steps of an eidetic reduction are threefold: first, you must choose some specific example (i.e. Descartes' wax). Then, you vary the example imaginatively. The third step involves figuring out that which cannot be eliminated while the example remains itself. That which cannot be eliminated is part of the example's essence.
As an instructive process, eidetic reduction might be viewed as processes of abstraction; the works of Whitehead and Russell in their Principia Mathematica
Principia Mathematica
The Principia Mathematica is a three-volume work on the foundations of mathematics, written by Alfred North Whitehead and Bertrand Russell and published in 1910, 1912, and 1913...
could give one a taste of those processes, or even the simple contemplation of mathematics itself in use: "How many ideas have you?" and the respondent may claim, "Just two."
In moral conducts, some philosophers attempt to give us a simpler "Way" (Taoism
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
), forms of experiential explanation (Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are an important principle in Buddhism, classically taught by the Buddha in the Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra....
) or suggested conduct (Noble Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...
, Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
, etc.).
In life it seems eidetic reductions are rather like harvesting—be it wheat from chaff, good horses from nags, friends from amongst the mob—or good coins from counterfeits. In real terms the idea of "harvesting," for example, could be shorn of some its broader associations, such as genocide, mass murder and abortion. This would clue, define to us an opposite to eidetic reduction, namely the political slanting by chronic association, false connotation and plain lying, and/or deceits by repetitions or hypnosis.