NYMPHS: Bracketing vs. Supposition

Water Nymph by Wilhelm Kotarbinski

Phenomenological bracketing, also called Epoche, disconnexion, and phenomenological reduction (among other terms), is different from mere supposition or assumption because when we merely suppose something, such as supposing that nymphs or the tooth fairy exist, our thoughts are not about some actual thing in the natural world.  If we earnestly suppose the existence of nymphs, unicorns, leprechauns and dragons, we are not disconnecting from a thesis about a living thing in the fact world.  We are just thinking about something imaginary.  This difference is important because in it lies a key to Husserl's theory of intentionality.  Thoughts about the world--even thoughts where we suspend belief in a thesis about the world for the sake of a phenomenological reduction--are always about something in the natural world.  When we have an experience of the world, it is of something.  The content of our thoughts is directed at objects in the external world.  And this external world is one in the same for all human subjects, even if we experience it differently.  Even though we have very different experiences with this world, all of our thoughts are about the real world.  Even if we suspend the natural attitude and bracket the general thesis of the natural standpoint, our phenomenological reductions are aimed at the natural world.

Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse

  When we suppose something (like supposing nymphs exist), however, our thoughts are not about an object in the intersubjectively available world.  So remember NYMPHS: Not Your Mental Proposition Having Sein.  Sein is the German word for Being.  Being is just what is.  It is what exists.  It is the fundamental metaphysical entity.  The same sign can be used as an infinitive form of the German word for 'to be'.  When you suppose the existence of imaginary things, your thoughts are not actually about objects in the world.  Your thoughts are not about things that 'are'.