Abstract

Structure and Diversity deals with Scheler’s writings highlighting his arguments against relativism, his ethics, his philosophy of religion, the late Scheler’s adoption of Buddhism, and his social-political philosophy. Kelly argues that Scheler is influenced by Husserl in his conviction of the realm of essences that is revealed through “phenomenologically reduced cognitive acts”. Both philosophers apply the “natural standpoint.” However, Scheler argues to go beyond Husserl’s phenomenology of objects by means of his account of “structural and material essences that condition human consciousness”. Consciousness is necessarily individual and situated within a “milieu.” Phenomenology can use perceptions to elucidate “meaning-elements” that form a unified realm of essence.