The question of interiority in Michel Henry’s phenomenology of life, world, and truth

Abstract

In this thesis, I critically examine the question of interiority within Michel Henry’s phenomenology of life, world, and truth, in view of the phenomenological movement and the broader 20th -century philosophical milieu, to show that a notion of interiority that is not solipsistic, egocentric, asocial, and opposed to exteriority can be articulated based on his work. This kind of interiority is, instead, compassionate, communal, and active, whereby the space of interiority is understood as transformative as it entails a critical attitude which allows us to rethink our existence on the level of individuality (I) and community (we). I claim that such a space is an essential catalyst for individual and social change aimed at shifting from a ‘lifeless world’ to a world attuned to interiority. In this regard, I argue that a Henrian formulation of interiority, as an active existence that is essentially centred on humility, suffering, and love, is meant to ground, unite, and safeguard exteriority and our lived existence in its concreteness. To this end, my contribution to knowledge in this regard will be twofold: 1) to bring out a cohesive and comprehensive construal of Henry’s notion of interiority as it is found throughout his various works, and 2) to argue that his notion of interiority, understood as a life-horizon which roots our socio-political sphere, is ultimately centred on the need for transformation, compassion, and a rehabilitated understanding of existence. Whereas the former is meant to construe Henry’s phenomenology of interiority in dialogue with his own diverging works and the works of other significant thinkers, the latter is intended to provide my own interpretation of his notion of interiority by investigating the immanent affective dimension of knowledge, humility, love, suffering, compassion, individuality, community, and action.