The following is neither exclusively the study of a philosopher nor a problem, and yet is both as well. Alfred Schutz is now recogniz­ ed to have been a profoundly insightful philosopher who explor­ ed the nature of social reality and the social sciences. His works are exercising a great influence in a wide range of problems and disciplines, the latter including the social sciences themselves. All of this is testimony to the sagacity and penetrating character of his analyses as well as the fruitfulness and soundness of his con­ cepts. Philosophy proceeds, however, by not merely accepting the work of great philosophers, but by engaging