Zur Phanomenologie der Intersubjektivitat: Texte aus dem Nachlass

In this review of Zur Phanomenologie der Intersubjektivitat: Texte aus dem Nachlass Erster Teil readers will find a demanding but valuable collection for serious Husserl scholars and advanced students. The edition compiles ink stenograms and manuscript fragments from 1905 to 1920, offering direct access to early drafts and variant readings; its single biggest reason to buy is the opportunity to study unpublished or little-known textual material with editorial notes that explain insertions, corrections and marginalia. This is a specialist resource rather than lightweight reading.

Key Features

• Primary source material: Presents ink stenograms in Gabelsberg shorthand which let researchers work from original manuscript forms rather than later transcriptions.
• Text-critical notes: Includes editorial abbreviations and annotations such as Bl., Einf., Erg., Rb., and V. so readers can follow editorial decisions and textual variants.
• Chronological coverage: Collects fragments dated approximately 1905 to 1920, giving a focused view of Husserl's work on intersubjectivity in that period.
• Consolidated konvolut context: Reproduces material from Konvolut A VI 10, showing how assorted manuscript fragments were grouped after 1920.
• German-language edition: Maintains the original language and scholarly apparatus, important for precise philosophical interpretation and citation.

Who It's For

This volume is intended for professional philosophers, graduate students of phenomenology, and textual scholars who need primary-source access to Husserl's drafts on intersubjectivity. The detailed editorial apparatus supports close philological and conceptual work rather than casual reading.

Non-specialists or readers seeking a general introduction to Husserl should look elsewhere for accessible summaries or translations. This edition assumes familiarity with German, manuscript conventions, and the historical context of early 20th-century phenomenology.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Direct access to original ink stenograms allows first-hand textual research and variant tracing.
• Clear use of editorial abbreviations helps readers understand insertions and marginal notes without guessing the editor's method.
• Focus on a discrete period (1905-1920) makes it useful for thematic studies of Husserl's development on intersubjectivity.

Cons

• Specialist editorial presentation and German shorthand content limit accessibility for general audiences.
• As a fragmentary compilation, the material can feel discontinuous and requires supplementary contextual reading.

Specifications

Title	Zur Phanomenologie der Intersubjektivitat: Texte aus dem Nachlass Erster Teil
Authors / Editors	Edmund Husserl; Kern (editorial contribution)
Language	German
Manuscript form	Ink stenograms (System Gabelsberg) on sheets 21.5 x 17 cm
Period covered	Circa 1905-1920
Konvolut source	Material drawn from Konvolut A VI 10 (Bl. 18 and 29 included)

Our Verdict

This edition is a rigorous, specialist resource for anyone conducting philological or philosophical research on Husserl's concepts of intersubjectivity. It is good value to scholars because it reproduces original stenograms and provides clear editorial notes, making it an essential copy for advanced study despite limited accessibility for general readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the text in the original German?
Yes. The book reproduces manuscript material and commentary in German, suitable for readers fluent in the language.

Are the manuscripts transcribed or facsimile reproductions?
The edition presents ink stenograms from the manuscripts with text-critical annotations rather than simplified popular transcriptions.

What period of Husserl's work does it cover?
Material is dated approximately from 1905 to 1920, compiled from Konvolut A VI 10.