Introduction

Alfred Schutz's theory of sign and symbol presents a very original and innovative semiotic conception on the interface of phenomenology and sociology; yet, receptions of this theoretical outline are rather exceptional and rare. His theory of sign and symbol is an integrative and crucial part of his theory of the life-world. According to this theory, signs and symbols are seen as mechanisms which serve the individual to overcome the transcendences posed by time, space, the world of the Other and multiple realities. Assuming a phenomenological standpoint, Schutz considers signs and symbols as appresentational modes that represent experiences originating in different zones of the life-world. When we communicate, we operate with signs and symbols within the world of everyday life, which is why they are decisive for establishing intersubjectivity. From a sociological perspective, Schutz's conception of the symbol demonstrates how social entities, such as nations, states, religious groups and so on are, on the one hand, experienced by the individual, but, on the other hand, serve to establish the collectivities as meaningful entities in an intersubjective context. This theory of sign and symbol also has a major impact on semiotic theory in general.

Signs and symbols, if we follow Schutz's argumentation, are the semiotic elements of the life-world that in their function keep the life-world together. The combination of a phenomenological with a sociological standpoint with respect to sign and symbol allows one to explain not only their experience and interpretation but at the same time serves to explain their social function within communication and the establishing of social collectivities. His friend and colleague Maurice Natanson describes Schutz's major essay “Symbol, Reality and Society” (Schutz 1962 [1955]) as “without any doubt an important contribution to the theory of signs and communication.” This outline presents Schutz's theory of sign and symbol as part of his theory of the life-world to be able to describe the relationship between individual and society with reference to a theory of action and communication. We specifically follow Schutz's reflections on signs and symbols from his Notebooks (Schutz 1989) for his planned work on The Structures of the Life-World as well as his decisive publication Symbol, Reality, and Society (Schutz 1962 [1955]).