ABSTRACT
Central to phenomenology’s method is the epoche, the systematic attempt to see through one’s own assumptions and prejudices so that phenomena can show themselves anew, with greater clarity and depth. But phenomenology, particularly in its Husserlian form, with its transcendental, ideal emphasis, has been cogently criticized and “deconstructed” by postmodern thinkers such as Derrida. In fact, phenomenology and deconstruction are frequently opposed in the politics of contemporary intellectual life. On the other hand, deconstruction has always been an important tool in phenomenology’s method; it is central to the epoche.
