Phenomenology is a complicated field of philosophy. Here are some definitions:

Phenomenology is the study of human experience and of the ways things present themselves to us in and through such experience. (Sokolowski in Gallagher 7)

Phenomenology is the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view. (Smith in Gallagher 7)

Phenomenology is usually characterized as a way of seeing rather than a set of doctrines. In a typical formulations Edmund Husserl … presents phenomenology as approaching ‘whatever appears to be as such’, including everything meant or thought, in the manner of its appearing, in the how of its manifestation. (Moran in Gallagher 7–8)

Confused yet?

Phenomenology attempts to get behind post hoc formulations and theories to truly grasp an event in its self-givenness. Easier said than done.

Shaun Gallagher examines all the fundamental questions raised by phenomenology and explores the ways that various philosophers have approached them in this introductory guide. Don’t let the word “introduction” fool you. This rigorous work demands some familiarity with the topic. Those with a background in twentieth century philosophy will find Gallagher’s work to be a rich and comprehensive guide to a type of philosophy and research methodology that still bears fruit today.

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Gallagher, Shaun. Phenomenology. Palgrave MacMillan, 2012. Palgrave Philosophy Today.