Introspectionists

Introspectionists are a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of personal experience and subjective consciousness in understanding reality. The term "introspection" refers to the examination of one's own mental states, thoughts, and feelings. Introspectionists argue that knowledge of the mind is the primary source of truth and that objective reality is secondary or even illusory. This perspective gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the works of philosophers such as William James, Edmund Husserl, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Introspectionists often reject empiricism, which relies on sensory experience, and instead advocate for a more subjective approach to knowledge. They believe that by carefully examining one's own mental processes, individuals can gain insight into the nature of reality and the self. However, introspectionism has been criticized for its subjectivity and lack of empirical validation, leading to its decline as a dominant philosophical approach in the mid-20th century. Despite this, introspectionist ideas continue to influence contemporary philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science.