A critical and phenomenological genealogy of the question of the real in Western economics and management

Purpose - This paper aims to answer the following question: where does our capacity for epoche, for decentration, for suspending representations come from? This question is an important one if we accept, as phenomenology does, that this is how we can find the meaning of our life and our actions.Desi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Society and business review 2007-06, Vol.2 (2), p.193-203
Main Author: Fay, Eric
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeology
Business administration
Collective action
Communication
Economics
Economics and Finance
Humanities and Social Sciences
Philosophy
Quality of life
Reality
Reasoning
Speaking
Studies
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Summary:Purpose - This paper aims to answer the following question: where does our capacity for epoche, for decentration, for suspending representations come from? This question is an important one if we accept, as phenomenology does, that this is how we can find the meaning of our life and our actions.Design methodology approach - In order to answer this question the paper undertakes a critical genealogy of what those in the Western world consider to be the real, stressing how much Western thought overestimates the reality of what can be seen, measured, and calculated, and underestimates the experience of interiority by silencing the real dynamic of development of each person's lives.Findings - Following on from Michel Henry's phenomenology the paper shows how epoche, decentring is precisely about paying attention to this very real dynamic of development of life with others. Suspending for a while the representations and calculations and allowing people to be guided by such dynamic is therefore totally justified. Moreover, because it is fully embodied, this dynamic gives us the power and strength to engage in reasonable and responsible action. Two experiences recounted by managers illustrate this point.Originality value - The paper shows that phenomenological epoche is not about speculation, it is not idealism, but a totally realistic, practicable choice.
ISSN:1746-5680
1746-5699
DOI:10.1108/17465680710757402