Dr G. Anthony Bruno | Royal Holloway, London
G. Anthony Bruno is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Royal Holloway University of London
Date | 21 October 2026
Title | Neither a Witness Nor a Wave: Jacobi, Fichte, and Husserl on Nihilism
Location | Room 2.51, D’Olier Street
Abstract:
In 1915, Husserl declares his affinity with the German idealists, claiming that they share with his phenomenological approach (1) a common adversary, (2) a common advantage, and (3) a common advancement of philosophy. This paper clarifies Husserl's three claims. First, the adversary German idealism and phenomenology face is nihilism. Second, their advantage against nihilism is a defence of freedom and purposiveness, which nihilism threatens. Third, they serve freedom and purposiveness as conditions of doing, hence of advancing, philosophy.