Studying Lived Experiences in a Fatigued Society Through Observing the Sensory Perception of the World: A Case Study

Krzysztof T. Konecki

doi:10.18778/1733-8069.20.4.13

Authors

Krzysztof T. Konecki University of Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7370-3490

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8069.20.4.13

Keywords:

sociology of senses, Lifeworld, body, lived experiences, contemplative grounded theory, phenomenology

Abstract

The sociology of the senses delves into the intricate fabric of the Lifeworld, exploring how the senses play a pivotal role in shaping human interactions, particularly among university students. This case study focuses on understanding the relationships between senses, their interplay, and their collective impact on bodily experiences and perceptions of reality in its “qualitative immediacy.” We will examine the symbolic meanings associated with various senses, such as sound, smell, touch, balance (equilibrioception), movement (kinesthesia), temperature (thermoception), and even our sense of time. By investigating these sensory experiences within the social contexts of academia, we aim to unravel the nuanced connections between different senses and how they merge to form a rich tapestry of individual and collective experiences in everyday life. This exploration will concentrate on three key incidents in the lives of students: coming to University and attending classes, staying on campus, going home. We will shed light on the profound implications of sensory experiences for individual and societal dynamics, focusing on the pathic dimension of experiencing the Lifeworld. The pathic dimension refers to the emotional expressions of our feelings in relation to material objects and the bodies of others with whom we interact. By explicating this dimension, we aim to understand more about the transformative effects of bodily and sensual mindfulness. This analysis draws inspiration from contemplative grounded theory and phenomenology.

Author Biography

Krzysztof T. Konecki, University of Lodz, Poland

Professor of sociology; works in the Institute of Sociology at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz. He is a member of the Board of the Polish Sociological Association and is a member of the Committee of Sociology of the Polish Academy of Science; he was also a member of the Executive Committee of the European Sociological Association. His interests lie in qualitative sociology, the sociology of interaction, symbolic interactionism, the sociology of body, the methodology of social sciences, visual sociology, communication and intercultural management, organizational culture and management, and contemplative sociology. He is a hatha yoga and mindfulness instructor and has recently published the book: The Meaning of Contemplation for Social Qualitative Research: Applications and Examples (London: Routledge, 2023).

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