Lecture 8

The New Phenomenologist: The Ethics of Attention

This lecture defines the stance of the "new phenomenologist"—a disciplined, world-facing approach required of researchers who engage with phenomenology. It focuses on how phenomenology cultivates a critical and ethical awareness in the study of social systems.

A Developing Capacity, Not an Identity

Core Concept: Being a "new phenomenologist" is not an expert identity, but a developing capacity to attend carefully to the shared world with honesty and restraint.

It's a set of skills and a stance towards the world. It’s about cultivating the ability to narrate from within the shared world, rather than claiming a title.

Decentering the Self

Core Concept: New phenomenologists consciously decenter themselves, recognizing others as co-inhabitants of the lifeworld and resisting the temptation to make their own experience the main subject.

The focus shifts from "me" to "we." This is an ethical commitment to seeing the world more clearly by acknowledging the validity and complexity of other perspectives.

Think about a time you tried to understand someone else's perspective on a situation. What assumptions did you have to set aside about your own experience to truly listen to theirs?

Sonder: A Narrative Correction

Core Concept: "Sonder"—the realization that every other person is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—serves as a crucial narrative correction, pushing researchers to consider the experiences of others.

It reminds us that our perspective is not the only one, and it helps us move beyond self-centered narratives towards a more inclusive understanding of the world.

Assessment & Responsibility in Research

Core Concept: In this course, assessment prioritizes how effectively research illuminates the phenomenon under study, not the researcher's personal feelings or self-analysis.

Personal perspective is only relevant if it clarifies the world being examined. Success is measured by how responsibly and precisely you narrate the world your data describes, contributing to a clearer understanding of social phenomena.

Phenomenology: An Ethical Stance

Core Concept: Phenomenology offers not just a method, but an ethical stance towards inquiry, promoting a responsible orientation to the world rather than easy solutions.

It invites us to see ourselves as participants in a shared world, attentive to others and the structures that shape our lives. It's a commitment to seeing the world clearly and telling the truth about what we observe.

How might consciously adopting an "ethical stance" change the way you approach a research project or even an everyday conversation? What new responsibilities emerge?