Among Bourdieu and Schutz. Encounters and divergences in social phenomenology

Abstract

This article proposes an interpretation of the theoretical relations among the works of Bourdieu and Schutz with phenomenology, to show their points of agreement and disagreement around that philosophical trend. We will begin by pointing out Bourdieu's critical position towards phenomenol-ogy in general and towards Schutz’s one in particular. Then we will focus on Schutz to show his theoretical commitment around a reworking of the We-berian concept of social action, his relation to Husserl's phenomenology, as well as the unfortunate nature of Bourdieu’s criticism. Later on we will in-troduce in the work of Bourdieu, showing the connection between his theory of practice –revisiting the notions of habitus, body and practical sense– and the phenomenology of Husserl and Merleau-Ponty. Finally, we will compare the proposals of Schutz and Bourdieu, pointing out their core agreements and disagreements, in order to contribute to the basis of social phenomenology.