Waldemar Conrad (1878–1915)

Abstract

Conrad’s analysis in Der ästhetische Gegenstand (1908–9) is the first description of the aesthetic object according to the method elaborated in the Logische Untersuchungen of his teacher edmund husserl. Against subjectivism, his intention was to develop the realistic aspect of phenomenology. Husserl’s later transcendental-idealistic development was understood by his first disciples as a departure from the original tendency towards the “things themselves.” Conrad’s thought has been underappreciated because it was considered merely a mechanical application of Husserl’s method. But the importance of this text lies not only in its pioneering perspective, but also in the clear methodological indications.