Remarks on the phenomenology of image consciousness
According to Husserl, image consciousness has a structure that distinguishes it not only from positional acts (such as perception and memory) but also from all non-positional acts. In regard to positionality, image consciousness has a complex structure. Unlike straightforward perception, image consciousness does not posit the material picture on the wall as such, but is rather preoccupied with the theme. On the other hand, the theme is not posited either – we are aware of it precisely as pictured. According to Husserl, this is due to a third element: consciousness of the apparent image (figure, shape, contrasts etc.) that depicts the theme of the picture. According to Husserl, the non-objective presence of this mediating element sharply distinguishes image consciousness from imagination.