Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

221802

Dallas Willard

reviving realism on the West coast

Micah D. Tillman

pp. 389-407

Abstract

This article examines the philosophical work of Dallas Willard (1935–2013), Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California. After outlining his major translations, it explores four of Willard's central theses: (1) that Husserl's phenomenology of knowledge solved a fundamental puzzle about the objectivity of knowledge; (2) that the success of Husserlian phenomenology's account of knowledge depended upon Husserl's ontological insights; (3) that Husserl was already a phenomenologist when Frege was purportedly converting him from psychologism; and (4) that Husserl maintained his early account of knowledge—and thus his realism—throughout his career. Though Willard was instrumental in starting the "Early" or "Realist Phenomenology" movement in America, his philosophical contributions have yet to be fully explored. Therefore, the paper concludes with a guide to those who would like to understand and develop Willard's work further.

Publication details

Published in:

Ferri Michela Beatrice, Ierna Carlo (2019) The reception of Husserlian phenomenology in North America. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 389-407

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-99185-6_23

Full citation:

Tillman Micah D. (2019) „Dallas Willard: reviving realism on the West coast“, In: M.B. Ferri & C. Ierna (eds.), The reception of Husserlian phenomenology in North America, Dordrecht, Springer, 389–407.