Experiencing Multiple Realities: Alfred Schutz’s Sociology of the Finite Provinces of Meaning (Routledge Studies in Social and Political Thought)

This book offers a theoretical investigation into the general problem of reality as a multiplicity of ‘finite provinces of meaning’, as developed in the work of Alfred Schutz. A critical introduction to Schutz’s sociology of multiple realities as well as a sympathetic re-reading and reconstruction of his project, __Experiencing Multiple Realities__ traces the genesis and implications of this concept in Schutz’s writings before presenting an analysis of various ways in which it can shed light on major sociological problems, such as social action, social time, social space, identity, or narrativity. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction: realities just ‘real enough’ 1 Theory and story: in-between encounters 1.1 A ‘residual’ discovery 1.2 A liminal time 2 Schutz’s methodological journey 2.1 Theoretical roots 2.2 The problem 2.3 Everyday life 2.4 Action 2.5 Attention to life 2.6 Time-perspective 2.7 Social structure 2.8 The fundamental anxiety 2.9 A paradoxical epochè 2.10 The paramount reality 3 The Schutzian FPM model 3.1 Finite provinces of meaning 3.2 FPM experience 3.2.1 Shocks 3.2.2 Symbols and meaning transcendences 3.2.3 ‘Polyphonic’ experience 3.3 Fictional worlds 3.4 Dream as FPM 3.5 Science as FPM 4 Revisiting the provinces 4.1 Brief critique of the Schutzian model 4.2 The general FPM structure 4.3 The epochè of the natural attitude 4.4 Life-world resources 5 The life of the provinces 5.1 The universal projection 5.2 Connected realities 5.3 Morphology, constitution, and dynamics 6 Methods of experience 6.1 Behaviour, action, and experience 6.2 Biographical situation 7 Experience as discourse 7.1 Narrative tools 7.2 Paradigm and syntagm 8 Ancient FPM portals: painted screens Conclusion Index "This book offers a theoretical investigation into the general problem of reality as a multiplicity of 'finite provinces of meaning', as developed in the work of Alfred Schutz. A critical introduction to Schutz's sociology of multiple realities as well as a sympathetic re-reading and reconstruction of his project, Experiencing Multiple Realities traces the genesis and implications of this concept in Schutz's writings before presenting an analysis of various ways in which it can shed light on major sociological problems, such as social action, social time, social space, identity, or narrativity."--Provided by publisher