Values as critique and the critique of values

Voegelin and Schutz on theory in the social sciences

Michael Barber

pp. 213-233

in: Lester Embree (ed), Schutzian social science, Berlin, Springer, 1999

Abstract

After briefly presenting Eric Voegelin's general theoretical framework, this paper highlights the differences between Voegelin and Schutz in regard to three issues in their correspondence: 1) the place of epistemology in theory 2) the role of general theory with relation to values, and 3) the interpretation of Husserl's Crisis. The article concludes that a value-oriented theory, such as Voegelin's, and a value-neutral theory, such as Schutz 's, converge on certain ethical concerns about the role of theory.

Cited authors

Husserl Edmund

Schütz Alfred

Voegelin Eric