Phenomenological approach of Alfred Schutz refers to ‘life world’ as-

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Correct option is B

‘taken-for-granted’ and based on 'mundane reality'.

Alfred Schutz, a key figure in phenomenology, proposed that the concept of ‘life world’ (Lebenswelt) refers to the everyday world in which we live and experience. He argued that people generally take their life world for granted, meaning they interact with it without constantly questioning its underlying assumptions or structure.

• ‘Taken-for-granted’ means that individuals typically don’t actively reflect on the routines or structures of daily life—they simply assume things will continue to operate as usual. This aspect of the life world is central to Schutz’s phenomenological approach, emphasizing the tacit knowledge and assumptions people carry in their social interactions.
• ‘Mundane reality’ refers to the everyday, ordinary reality in which people live, as opposed to abstract or theoretical concepts. Schutz viewed mundane reality as the starting point for social life, where individuals engage with the world and make sense of their experiences through practical knowledge.

Thus, Schutz’s concept of the life world is both ‘taken-for-granted’ and based on mundane reality, which aligns with option (2).

Information Booster

• Alfred Schutz (1899–1959) focused on the subjective experience of individuals and their interpretation of social reality.
• ‘Life world’ is a central concept in phenomenology, referring to the pre-reflective world that people inhabit, shaped by their experiences and interactions.
• ‘Taken-for-granted’ suggests that individuals usually do not actively question the social norms and structures they live within.
• ‘Mundane reality’ relates to the everyday experiences and routines that form the core of human social life.
• Schutz distinguished between ‘first-order’ (ordinary, everyday) and ‘second-order’ (reflective, scientific) knowledge.
• The life world is also seen as a shared social reality where meanings are co-constructed through interaction.
• Schutz’s work laid the foundation for ethnomethodology and symbolic interactionism in sociology.

Additional Knowledge

• (1) ‘Taken-for-granted’ and not based on 'mundane reality' – Incorrect, as Schutz’s concept of the life world is inherently based on mundane reality.
• (3) not ‘taken-for-granted’ but based on 'mundane reality' – Incorrect, as Schutz’s life world is taken-for-granted in the sense that individuals do not typically question it.
• (4) not ‘taken-for-granted’ and not based on 'mundane reality' – Incorrect, as the life world is both taken-for-granted and based on mundane reality.