Zróżnicowanie wiedzy w społecznej przestrzeni w ujęciu Alfreda Schutza

Abstrakt

The paper seeks to show the views of A. Schutz on the differentiation of knowledge in the social space. Their discussion begins with a characterization of a common knowledge (it is with such knowledge that Schutz dealt). He takes into account the content-related aspect, pertaining to the designates of the term “knowledge”, and the qualitative aspect, which determines the degree of orientation in various areas of meanings. Then he proceeds to describe the factors which shape the social phenomenon of the differentiation of knowledge. He points to the sources of an individual knowledge. Eventually, he introduces a number of issues connected with the social resources of knowledge.

Now Schutz's standpoint on the matter under consideration is consistent. He does not, however, exhaust the problems and goes beyond the subject matter. There are some selected issues which he clarifies, but does not explain many others which are also important, as his questions pinpoint.

The subject “social differentiation of knowledge” is a part of the problems contained within the confines of the sociology of knowledge. Schutz shows that it can, with success, be pursued within the canons of the empirical sciences, unlike the majority of researchers do or have done so far. They are engaged in the theoretical discourse and are unable, or were unable, to correspond with reality, being convinced and convincing others, that the term “sociology” does not render its genuine character.