Natural Negativity. Reflections on the Ontology of Flesh in the Merleau-Ponty Philosophy

Abstract

In this paper I intend to demonstrate how Merleau-Ponty develops in his late thought an insightful account of reality. In opposition to the ontological primacy Husserl and Heidegger bestow to man, Merleau-Ponty’s late perspective is based on a dynamic ontology, namely on a philosophical understanding of the strict relation between nature and consciousness. With this respect, Merleau- Ponty approaches the problem of negativity, in order to explain the differences within reality without adopting an Hegelian account of dialectic and, on the other hand, avoiding a merely empirical view of contingency.