On some affinities between Husserl and Dilthey on the Natur/Geist distinction

Abstract

Abstract: In current research there persists a lack of understanding about the true contributions to the debate between the natural sciences and the spiritual sciences by Edmund Husserl and Wilhelm Dilthey. This is significant given that, at a philosophical level, there was an exchange of ideas that, in one way or another, was decisive for each of their proposals. To better understand these exchanges, it is crucial to examine the history of their various encounters. The best known arose as a result of the misunderstandings caused by the article "Philosophy as a Strict Science" of 1911 in Logos; this incident began a brief but interesting exchange of letters. However, we are still facing a problem that has not been sufficiently explored; in this search, this work investigates the internal affinities of both philosophers, in relation to the distinction between nature and spirit, which can be observed, above all, in their late writings.