“Laudatio et Gratitude”. To Lester E. Embree, for his Worth as a Person, as a Leader and as a Phenomenologist

Abstract

Insight into Lester Embree’s C.V. Recovery and recognition of his inner purpose with regard to his critical detachment from a particular orientation of phenomenology. Phenomenological theory only makes sense as prepa-ration for real practice. When did the view that we, the “soi disant” phenomenologists, are far from the genuine practice of phenomenology arise in Embree? And, who inspired him, apart from Husserl himself? These are key questions to understand unity and inner coherence in Embre’s C.V., and they meet two aims. The first one is to find the link between his initial entry in phenomenology and his critical stance, particularly evident in the last two decades of his life. The second one is to identify who could have been his guide and model‒apart from Husserl‒from the beginning of his life as phenomenologist until his last two decades, when he wrote his comments on pseudophenomenology. In any case, Embree has been a critical voice who compels us to think about the orientation we are giving to the phenomenology inherited from Husserl. He is therefore a brave and honest philosopher, full of great humanity. In addititon to these qualities, it is worth noting both his creative intelligence and foresight to see‒earlier than others‒the evolution followed by phenomenology until now and his valuable multidisciplinary contribution. Praise to Lester Embree.