Alfred Schutz's critique of husserlian intersubjectivity: exposition and response

Abstract

In this article I intend to respond to the critique made by Alfred Schutz, in The Problem of Transcendental Intersubjectivity in Husserl, to the husserlian theory of intersubjectivity. The critique consists of three specific objections: i) that Husserl does not explain clearly and sufficiently how the constitution of the Other is possible from one's own body and how the constitution of a common surrounding world is possible; ii) that social relations cannot be constituted from communication and consequently iii) that the concept of a person of supreme order is unjustified. My answer starts from a phenomenological description of the Other elaborated from different texts since Husserl did not publish a complete and finished phenomenological description. In turn, I will emphasize three fundamental concepts, namely: 1) parification (Paarung), 2) communication, and 3) personal unities of a higher order. The purpose of this response is to refute the accusations of idealism and solipsism made to husserlian phenomenology, and to motivate a reinterpretation of Schutz's work that starts from this response.