Phenomenology:

The “science of being”

By Sterling True & Sterling True

What is phenomenology?

• Phenomenology examines patterns of subjective experience and consciousness • Focus upon a systematic reflection on and investigation of the structures of consciousness: Realist concepts can be

examined scientifically

• Based solely on consciousness • Individuals will be influenced by others, but not same experience • Views social world as multiform structure • • Inner-subjectivity Group understanding/unity

Edmund Husserl (1859-1938)

• “Father of phenomenology” • Married, with three children • Developed theories later in life (post retirement/late at university) • Studied mathematics, led to empirical works (Phenomenology) • Influences ranged from Descartes, Hume, Kant

Husserl’s Ideas/Contributions

• Every certainty is questionable •

Believed scientific method & naturalistic thinking was overvalued and, “not important to understanding behavior based on consciousness.” In short, can conduct a science of perceptions

• Consciousness is where you will find ‘true’ meaning behind actions • Time Consciousness: past events influence one’s present consciousness/perception • In turn, allows unbiased & biased ‘time’ to be cohesive to draw perceptions • Perception was based on retention and memory • What one “sees” is based on past memories and reflection • Ex. Spouse with ex, who cheated may suspect current spouse of same actions

Alfred Schutz (1899-1959)

• Responsible for phenomenology's development into a social science • Key inspirations were Weber & Husserl • Studied law & social science at the University of Vienna • Husserl offered assistant role to Schutz • • Declined for ‘personal reasons’ Corresponded throughout their lives

Schutz’s Ideas/Contributions

• Must accept own existence & other’s existence • Must reflect/observe other experience and relate/find understand from own experience • Can observe own experiences only in past, can observe ‘yours’ as they take place • Leads to individuals coexisting, or having each consciousness intertwining • We will see our actions as single act, not natural view of two separate persons • “Growing old together” • Each act is influences by others, but not the same experience • Ex. Concert level enjoyment • Therefore, experience shared but consciousness is unique

Schutz’s Contributions Cont.

• This shared experience leads us to our social world • Allows understanding of ‘united individualism’ • • Can perceive same world & understand others with similar experiences/subjective meanings Leading to social relationship or, “mutually related act of consciousness” • Social scientist should act as observer to detach self and biases • Stock of Knowledge: As observer, researcher must draw from own experience to, “fill in blanks.” Individuals must also do this while interacting. World is constructed by social group/life experiences and allow them to create proper behaviors/actions

Peter Berger (1929-)

• Born in Vienna, Austria • Studied under Alfred Schutz • Coauthored publications with wife, Brigitte Berger • Key focus was on religions importance on society & how social forces has led to religion creations

Berger’s Contributions

• Social reality or perception is influenced by culture and experience • Ex. An American businessman will see reality different than a monk • “Knowledge” is developed and maintained through social situations • Everyday life or reality is subjective and is originated through own thoughts and actions (past & modifications) • Ex. Immigrants opposing language change; dramatic change in everyday life/social reality • Social relationships allow subjective meanings to transfer into objective/shared meanings

Berger’s Contributions Cont.

• Reification & Consciousness: Humans ‘forget’ power over social world. Leads to: • Reification: Turning an abstract object into material object, or turning ’ownership’ to an unknown • In turn, leads to alienation & false consciousness, or perception • Reality is constantly recreated by external experiences • Ex. Norms and values • Politics is what delivers social control and society’s ‘restrictions’

Relevancy

• Allows us to understand or “see” how social structure develops • Breaks down individuals, ‘actors’ and view why these actions are formed • Explains how perceptions are gained, molded, then used in everyday life • Explains the limitations of a positivist approach to science • Provides a methodological solution to a scientific investigation of realist concepts.

Limitations

• Phenomenology is a method, not a theoretical approach.

• Subject to interpretation • Ex. As observer, must occasionally fill in blanks, which could lead to inaccuracies