Du sensible à l'idéal. Usages du concept de Gestalt chez Mach, Ehrenfels et Meinong

My doctoral research focuses on the Austrian origins of the Gestalt psychology. I study the emergence of the concept of Gestalt in the works of Ernst Mach, Christian von Ehrenfels and Alexius Meinong. The goal that I pursue is twofold. First, it is a question of analyzing precisely the conditions of emergence of the concept of Gestalt in the works of the philosopher and scientist Ernst Mach. Secondly, I am looking into the reception of these works in Ehrenfels’ work and, after him, in Meinong. Thanks to Ehrenfels, the problematic of figurative phenomena will combine a psychological and ontological reflection. The Meinongian contribution will be to consider the problem of figurality within the framework of a theory of ideal objects. From Mach to Meinong, a journey takes shape that goes from the sensible to the ideal. From sensitive content in Mach, the Gestalt becomes progressively autonomous with Ehrenfels, until becoming an ideal object in Meinong’s philosophy.