France Veber´s Theory and Concept of Intentionality

The second part=year of project M680 shall explore and reconstruct Weber`s (so-called) theory of presentation production ("Vorstellungsproduktion") and so, finally, it shall arrive at his late theory of hitting ("Treffen, der Treffgedanke"). Our research so far shows that in developping his own position(s) Weber left behind Alexius Meinong`s (and his Graz school`s) teaching lore in several significant respects. So Weber is convinced that intentional presentations result from special psychic activities, i.e. are caused by "production". In expounding this hypothesis Weber distinguishes several degrees of intentionality production - on the lowest level, for example, we according to Weber find non-intentional presentations. From this position/period of his (self-made) theory of "Vorstellungsproduktion" Weber moves towards reality as such which he in his "realistic turn" ["Wende zur Wirklichkeit"] believes to hit. His new point of departure is now given in a "genetic-dynamic psychology", which he bases on external observation(s) and which runs into an ontological theory of reality. From now on Weber distinguishes two psychic capacities with significantly different functions: (1) The intuitive faculty or intuitive sense ("Anschaulichkeitssinn") and (2) the sense for reality ("Wirklichkeitssinn"), their functions being to "visualize" (to make clear; "Veranschaulichung") and to "realize" ("Verdinglichung", to hit reality). Function/sense (1) presents the phenomenal world, sense (2) opens the possibility of reaching/arriving behind the phenomena, i.e. sense (2) "punches" into reality itself, it hits the substance of objects. So, for example, we are presented with a certain sound but the sounded (das "Getönte") is hit as the (substantial) bearer it is. Both functions are, according to the late Weber, contained in all sensations, but depending on the sense (organ) involved they come in different degrees/qualities. So the hitting function is not really present (observed) during sensations by the visual faculty (the eyes) whereas during sensations of touch it is at its maximum. Additionally the late Weber introduces a new form of intentionality. Beside "traditional school" intentionality -- here experiences are always directed towards individual objects --, Weber now teaches a "dynamic intentionality" also: Experiences are as well directed towards a realm of reality ("einen Bereich der Wirklichkeit"). Goal of completing a 2nd year of M680 is the clarification if not decision of the still open questions whether Weber`s ideas about the existence of non-intentional experiences and his claim of a direct hitting of reality are at all prolific.