Define Phenomenology.

Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that originated in the early 20th century with the work of Edmund Husserl and has since become a diverse and influential movement within philosophy. Phenomenology seeks to describe and analyze conscious experience as it presents itself, without making assumptions about the objective existence of the external world. It focuses on the "phenomena" or appearances of consciousness and aims to explore the structures and meanings inherent in these experiences.

Central to phenomenology is the concept of "bracketing" or "epoché," a methodological suspension of assumptions about the external world's existence to better examine the structures of consciousness. Phenomenologists strive to uncover the essence of phenomena, understanding them in their own terms rather than through preconceived notions.

Phenomenology has influenced various philosophical disciplines, including existentialism, hermeneutics, and the philosophy of mind. Key figures in phenomenology include Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The approach has applications in fields beyond philosophy, such as psychology, sociology, and cognitive science, offering insights into the nature of subjective experience and human consciousness.