The following text is from a phenomenology article.
Husserl's phenomenological reduction brackets the "natural attitude" that takes the world's existence for granted. By suspending belief in the objective world, the philosopher gains access to the structures of pure consciousness itself. This method seeks to ground scientific knowledge in subjective experience without solipsism. Whether such grounding is possible—whether subjectivity can provide a foundation for objectivity without circularity—remains philosophy's enduring puzzle.
What is the primary purpose of the text?
To argue definitively that phenomenology solves the mind-body problem
To explain Husserl's method and identify a fundamental challenge it faces
To compare phenomenology with other continental philosophy movements
To provide biographical details about Edmund Husserl's career
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The text explains Husserl's phenomenological reduction and identifies the fundamental challenge: grounding objectivity in subjectivity without circularity.
- Evidence: The text explains the method: "Husserl's phenomenological reduction brackets the 'natural attitude'... suspending belief." It identifies the goal: "ground scientific knowledge in subjective experience." It identifies the challenge: "Whether such grounding is possible... remains philosophy's enduring puzzle."
- Reasoning: The passage introduces a complex philosophical method and concludes with the major unsolved problem it faces.
- Conclusion: The purpose is to explain method and challenge.
💡 Strategy: Summarize: Bracket the world (Method) -> Can we build it back? (Challenge).
Choice A is incorrect because the problem remains unresolved. Choice C is incorrect because other movements aren't compared. Choice D is incorrect because biography isn't provided.