Abstract

The paper deals with a research hypothesis targeting the legacy of German idealism to the first foundation of Michel Henry’s “phenomenology of life”. Based on a series of archive documents, the paper reconstitutes the hermeneutical horizon in contrast with which the young Henry (1946-1963) defined his conception about phenomenology, philosophy and religion, i.e., the French existential-Hegelian debate (Wahl, Kojève, Hyppolite). The reconstitution (in the first part of the paper) of this dialogue between the young Henry and the French Hegelianism of 20th century will provide the theoretical framework for the analysis (in the second part) of Henry’s conceptualization of phenomenology and Christianity. The purpose is to investigate the significance of religion as phenomenon (and of its mediation) in Henry’s attempt to rethinking the transcendental relationship between Life and World.