The paper examines Józef Tischner’s 1977 article Phenomenology and Sociology and his interpretation of Husserl’s theory of intersubjectivity. It shows that Tischner discerned in Husserl’s phenomenology of intersubjectivity a set of conceptual insights that would later become central to the philosophy of work he developed during Solidarność. In particular, it argues that Tischner identifies a correspondence between his analogical conception of work as dialogue and Husserl’s nonanalogical, nonmetaphorical account of the constitution of society through communicative acts. The paper first outlines Tischner’s method of engaging with philosophical works as a resource for addressing social challenges, then introduces the central elements of his philosophy of work. Finally, it identifies conceptual elements through which Phenomenology and Sociology anticipates ideas later developed in his philosophy of work.
