Schutz s Theory of Relevance: A Phenomenological Critique

The following is neither exclusively the study of a philosopher nor a problem, and yet is both as well. Alfred Schutz is now recogniz ed to have been a profoundly insightful philosopher who explor ed the nature of social reality and the social sciences. His works are exercising a great influence in a wide range of problems and disciplines, the latter including the social sciences themselves. All of this is testimony to the sagacity and penetrating character of his analyses as well as the fruitfulness and soundness of his con cepts. Philosophy proceeds, however, by not merely accepting the work of great philosophers, but by engaging them in critical philosophic dialogue. It is time for this interchange to begin with respect to Schutz's work. To some extent, then, this work is di rected to that task. It does not undertake a systematic treat ment of the whole of Schutz's philosophy, for much more work in many aspects of his thought is yet to be done before such a pro ject can reasonably be undertaken. Yet, the issue of concern in this study is, I now believe, the philosophic center of the whole of Schutz's work.

Contenu
I. Introduction.- 1. The Lifeworld and Intersubjectivity.- 2. Typification.- 3. Social Action.- 4. Social Interaction.- 5. Provinces of Meaning.- 6. Relevance.- II. Some Fundamentals of Phenomenology.- III. Schutz's Reflections on Relevance.- 1. Introductory Remarks.- 2. The Kinds of Relevance.- 3. Interdependency of the Kinds of Relevance.- 4. The Formation of the Stock of Knowledge.- 5. Disturbances of Sedimentation.- 6. The Structure of the Stock of Knowledge.- 7. The Articles and Relevance.- IV. Critical Remarks on Schutz's Theory.- 1. Introduction: Synopsis of Critical Remarks.- 2. Reflection.- 3. Typification.- 4. Critique of Schutz's Reflections on Relevance.- 5. Summary of Critical Remarks.- V. The Founding of Relevance.- 1. Typification and Relevance.- 2. Foundedness.- 3. The Relevances.- 4. Relevance and Judging.- VI. Relevance, Science, and the Social Sciences.- 1. The Province of Scientific Theory.- 2. The Domain of the Social Sciences.- 3. Critical Remarks.- 1. Schutz's Works.- 2. Husserl's Works.- 3. Other Works.