1. Term

The term “phenomenology” generally refers today to the philosophical trend or method that goes back to E. Husserl (1859–1938). In fact, however, the term was used in various connections long before Husserl. It was introduced by J. H. Lambert (1728–77), who in his New Organon raised the question whether the understanding has a capability for truth. In pt. 4 he dealt with the issue whether appearance can influence the accuracy of human knowledge and called the related science phenomenology (the doctrine of appearance).

J. G. Herder…