The Schutzian Theory of the Cultural Sciences

This work is devoted to developing as well as expounding the theory of the cultural sciences of the philosopher Alfred Schutz (1899-1959). Drawing on all of Schutz's seven volumes in English, the book shows how his philosophical theory consists of the reflective clarifications of the disciplinary definitions, basic concepts, and distinctive methods of particular cultural sciences as well as their species and genus. The book first expounds Schutz's own theories of economics, jurisprudence, political science, sociology, and psychology. It then extends his approach to other disciplines, offering new theories of archaeology, ethnology, and psychotherapy in his spirit in order to stimulate the development of Schutzian theories in these and other disciplines. The second part of the book contains complementary philosophical chapters devoted to culture, groups, ideal types, interdisciplinarity, meaning, relevance, social tension, and verification.

This work is devoted to developing as well as expounding the theory of the cultural sciences of the philosopher Alfred Schutz (1899-1959). Drawing on all of Schutz’s seven volumes in English, the book shows how his philosophical theory consists of the reflective clarifications of the disciplinary definitions, basic concepts, and distinctive methods of particular cultural sciences as well as their species and genus. The book first expounds Schutz’s own theories of economics, jurisprudence, political science, sociology, and psychology. It then extends his approach to other disciplines, offering new theories of archaeology, ethnology, and psychotherapy in his spirit in order to stimulate the development of Schutzian theories in these and other disciplines. The second part of the book contains complementary philosophical chapters devoted to culture, groups, ideal types, interdisciplinarity, meaning, relevance, social tension, and verification.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Alfred Schutz’s Philosophical Project.- Part I. Theories of Science in the Writings of Alfred Schutz.- Chapter 2. Schutz’s Theory of Economics.- Chapter 3. Schutz’s Theory of Jurisprudence.- Chapter 4. Schutz’s Theory of Political Science.- Chapter 5. Schutz’s Theory of Sociology.- Chapter 6. Schutz’s Theory of Phenomenological Psychology.- Part II. Theories of Science in the Manner of Schutz.- Chapter 7. A Schutzian Theory of Archaeology.- Chapter 8. A Schutzian Theory of Cultural Anthropology.- Chapter 9. A Schutzian Theory of Nursing.- Chapter 10. A Schutzian Theory of Psychotherapy.- Part III. Complimentary Philosophical Studies.- Chapter 11. Cultural Scientists and Philosophers Can Meet in Methodology.- Chapter 12. Everyday Relevancy in Gurwitsch and Schutz.- Chapter 13. Schutz on Social Groups.- Chapter 14. Meaning in Schutz.- Chapter 15. Ideal Types.- Chapter 16. Verification in Schutz.- Chapter 17. Schutz on Reducing Social Tensions.- Chapter 18. A Correction of Schutz on Culture for Cultural Science.- Index.