Sartre and Marion on Intentionality and Phenomenality

Abstract

This article offers a reading of Jean-Paul Sartre’s phenomenology in light of Jean-Luc Marion’s more recent phenomenology. It may seem odd to compare Sartre to Marion, given that Sartre is well-known for his avowed atheism and his account of intentionality while Marion is primarily known for his work on religious phenomena and counter-intentionality. However, this article shows that there are many ways in which Sartre anticipates Marion’s work on phenomenological reduction and excessive phenomenality. By reading Sartre’s phenomenology in light of Marion’s, and particularly Sartre’s analysis of the viscous slime in Being and Nothingness in relation to Marion’s account of ‘saturated phenomena’, this article presents a fresh interpretation of Sartre as a phenomenologist who has invaluable insights not only on the structures of consciousness and phenomenality, but also for the contemporary theoretical interest in the relationship between human and nonhuman entities.

Nonverbal Communication, Silence and Cultural expressions in Jean-Paul Sartre’s literary Concept: A Philosophical Language and Art View

“…After reviewing the articles by Akinbode (2023), Siegler (2022), Leung (2022), Duffy et al (2021), andSullivan (2021), their findings were compared with each research objective outlined in the provided review.…”

“…Objective 3. Providing comparative studies to demonstrate the relevance of Sartre's ideas, Leung (2022) offered a comparative study of Sartre and Marion in order to demonstrate the continued relevance of Sartre's phenomenology. While his study did not directly address freedom or technology, Leung's discussion on phenomenological concepts aligned with Sartre's emphasis on individual consciousness and the interpretation of human experience.…”

“…The lacuna created validates the current research that examined how these nonverbal elements contributed to the philosophical themes and character interactions in Sartre's narratives. Leung's (2022) article provides thought-provoking comparative study of Sartre and Marion to demonstrate the continued relevance and depth of Sartre's phenomenology in contemporary philosophical and theoretical contexts, especially his treatment of the viscous slime in Being and Nothingness. The study also offers viewpoints on Jean-Luc Marion's later phenomenological concepts, particularly his notion of the saturated phenomenon.…”

“…This comparison aims to underscore the phenomenological depth in Sartre's treatment of the viscous slime, which contemporary theory has frequently interpreted in speculative or metaphorical terms rather than through a phenomenological perspective. Leung (2022) concludes by discussing how Sartre's atheistic phenomenology can illuminate aspects of Marion's supposed theological turn. The article also suggests that Sartre's analysis of nonhuman phenomena like the viscous slime can contribute to current social and cultural theories, especially those concerned with the agency of inanimate objects.…”

“…The article also suggests that Sartre's analysis of nonhuman phenomena like the viscous slime can contribute to current social and cultural theories, especially those concerned with the agency of inanimate objects. However, while Leung's (2022) article focuses on the viscous slime, it does not address how nonverbal communication such as gestures and body language is depicted in Sartre's phenomenological framework. Therefore, further research is needed to explore how Sartre's phenomenology addresses nonverbal communication and silence.…”