Schutz

Abstract

Schutz is famous for his synthesis of Husserl and Weber. But as Christopher Prendergast notes, Schutz did not engage in “some abstract and unmotivated attempt to ‘synthesize’ Weber and Husserl” (1986, p. 1). Schutz’s motive was to shore up the methodological defenses of the Austrian school of economics. Prendergast describes Schutz as “committed” to the “overall methodological standpoint” of the Austrian school (1986, p. 3). The “titular head” of the school was Ludwig von Mises (1986, p. 6). The seminar Mises ran from his office in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce was “the prime vehicle for forging and maintaining the distinctive theoretical, philosophical, and policy tradition of Austrian marginalism” (1986, p. 6). The Mises Circle was the main element of the “inner circle” of Schutz’s audience (1986, p. 5). Schutz thought that Mises’ methodology lacked a satisfactory theory of intersubjective understanding (1986, p. 11).

Parts of this chapter draw on Koppl (1997) and Koppl (2001).