Phenomenon 

Kant's use of phenomenon

Phenomenon has a specialized meaning in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant who opposed the term 'Phenomenon' to 'Noumenon'. Phenomena constitute the world as we experience it, as opposed to the world as it exists independently of our experiences (thing-in-themselves). Humans cannot, according to Kant, know things-in-themselves, only things as we experience them. Thus philosophy should concern itself with understanding the process of experience itself.

The concept of 'Phenomena' led to a tradition of philosophy known as Phenomenology. Leading figures in this tradition include Hegel, Husserl, Heidegger and Derrida.

Kant's account of phenomena has also been understood as influential in the development of psychodynamic[?] models of Psychology, and of theories concerning the ways in which the brain, mind and external world interact.

Phenomenon in the general sense

In general, apart from its specialized use as a term in philosophy, phenomenon stands for any observable event. Phenomena make up the raw data of science. Phenomena are often exploited by technology.

It is possible to list the phenomena which are relevant to almost any field of endeavor, for example, in the case of optics and light one can list observable phenomena under the topic optical phenomenon.

The possibilities are many, for example:

       Biological phenomenon biology 
       Chemical phenomenon[?] chemistry 
       Electrical phenomenon electricity 
       Geological phenomenon geology
       Meteorological phenomenon weather 
       Optical phenomenon optics
       Physical phenomenon physics
       Statistical phenomena statistics 
       Thermal phenomenon[?] thermodynamics 

Some observable events are commonplace, some require delicate manipulation of expensive and sensitive equipment. Some are significant experiments which led to groundbreaking discoveries.

There is a class of phenomena which lie outside generally accepted knowledge which knowledgeable scientists tend to discount. They are collected and discussed under the topic anomalous phenomenon

Quotes

• "no phenomenon is a phenomenon until it is an observed phenomenon" Niels Bohr.

Phenomenon is a name of an album by a rock band called UFO.

He'll place you in the room.html">room where darkness reigns; Do what you wish, and utter not a word; 'Twould spoil the whole; destroy the project quite; Her wrath, no longer able to controul, I fully understand:--leave me to guide; A pretty trick-shall all their art surpass, What, take me for a nincompoop?--they dream. THIS said, she sought excuse to get away, The keeper, howsoe'er, a hint had got; Oft cash does wonders, and, if such the case The bribe is taken, and the truth abused, There this sole quiver Cupid useful finds,-- A purse well.html">well stored--all binds, gunlocks, or blinds: Had Satan offered--'twould have been the same. All came about, and marked the spark's address. THE lady had at first some warm dispute But when he saw the golden charms unmasked, To Jack's repaired, and found the room quite dark; Through which the light might hurt what he designed. NOT long he waited, ere our jealous dame, Most thoroughly prepared his ears to greet. The lady found, howe'er, not what she sought: But wily Richard, who, without alarms, What further passed between the easy pair, The lover certainly received delight On neither side a syllable was dropt Though difficult, our spark succeeded well; His fav'rite beauteous belle he now possessed, .

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