Polyfunctionality, structural dominant and poetic function in Merleau-Ponty's "Phenomenology of Perception"

Bernhard Leistle

Carleton University

pp. 69-98

in: Beata Stawarska, Patrick R. Flack (eds), Merleau-Ponty and structuralism, Acta Structuralica 2, 2018.

Abstract

In my paper, I propose to read certain central motifs of Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception (2012 [1945]) through concepts borrowed from Roman Jakobson, in particular his concept of structural dominant and poetic function. Rather than with historical influence, I am concerned with theoretical convergences between phenomenology and structuralism. My argument roughly proceeds as follows: Merleau-Ponty and Jakobson can be regarded as particularly suitable examples for a rapprochement of phenomenology and structuralism. While a concept of structure (although one that went through different stages, as was shown by Edie, 1987) was crucial to Merleau-Ponty’s thought, Jakobson was perhaps the structuralist most open to phenomenology, to a point where his theoretical position was labeled as “phenomenological structuralism” (Holenstein 1976). Experiential and subjective dimensions were elemental to Jakobson’s understanding of language, and conversely it can be argued that Merleau-Ponty conceived of experience in terms of a communication between embodied self and world, not only in his theory of language, but also in general.

Cited authors

Jakobson Roman

Merleau-Ponty Maurice