Unscihtbare Grenzen. Zur Phänomenologie der Normalität, Liminalität und Anomalität
Invisible Borders. On the phenomenology of normality, liminality and abnormality

Author(s): Thiemo Breyer
Subject(s): Phenomenology
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Unscihtbare grenzen; phänomenologienormalität; liminalität; anomalität; invisible borders; phenomenologynormality; liminality; abnormality;
Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the phenomenological notions of normality and abnormality. It is argued that in order to describe the processual character of normal and abnormal modes of experience, it does not suffice to apply the categorical distinction between normality and abnormality to an experience. What is needed is a concept of liminality, with which the transitions between both domains can be grasped. Following Husserl’s analyses of different types liminal states such as falling or being asleep, becoming or being crazy (verrückt), liminality is interpreted as a phenomenon midway between normality and abnormality and as a complex topological figure. The time and space of liminality opens up a potential for reflection, a viewpoint from which the characteristics of what was previously functioning unthematically as normality (and abnormality, accordingly) become visible in a clearer shape. In the conclusion, an approach to liminal states is developed that combines both phenomenology and the empirical sciences of such states, namely psychology and psychopathology. Since the phenomenological observation of conscious phenomena is dependent on a pre-established normality of perception, phenomenology can learn from psychopathology about the empirical structure of liminal and abnormal states of consciousness. Phenomenology, on the other hand, can give genetic-constitutional explanations about which aspects of normality are at the transcendental core, from which abnormal phenomena arise gradually as exaggerations.

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