Elicitation in the Common-Sense World

Abstract

This article exhibits the phenomenon of elicitation by way of Alfred Schutz’s phenomenological sociology. It supplements (amplifies, further clarifies) the study with a general system (cybernetic) reading of the phenomenological analysis. The article: (1) deconstructs the phenomenon of elicitation to its constituent elements (processes), (2) correlates the ability of elicitation to accomplish its purpose to the heeding of common-sense knowledge (typifications), (3) discerns effective elicitation as conscientious elicitation, and (4) recommends the elicitor cognitively distance himself from his objective to increase the chances of accomplishing his aim. A review of Schutz’s phenomenology precedes the analysis.