Phenomenology of the Social World, by Alfred Schutz

Alfred Schutz attempts to provide a sound philosophical basis for a phenomenological interpretation of the sociological theories of Max Weber, most notably the parts concerned with social action. Schutz draws on Husserlian phenomenology, and provides a very original and thorough analysis of human action. His analysis concerns the goals and meanings of social action, human agents’ interpretation of social action, and – more generally – how to provide an understanding of action as interpreted in social contexts by conscious actors that are goal oriented.

This is a masterpiece of social philosophy, and provides an important bridge between classical sociology and phenomenological philosophy. Personally, I view it as one of the best scholarly treaties on this issue I have ever read – it is also excellently written. It is very rigorous, and raises a number of excellent and important questions.

Links to books by Alfred Schutz at amazon US and at amazon UK.

Tagged as: Alfred Schutz, classical social theory, phenomenology and sociology, philosophy