Bracketing: a phenomenological theory applied through transpersonal reflexivity

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of bracketing, one of the most central philosophical and theoretical constructs of phenomenology, as a theory of mind. Furthermore, we wanted to showcase how this theoretical construct can be implemented as a methodological tool.Design/methodology/approachIn this study we have adopted an approach similar to a qualitative meta-synthesis, comparing the emergent patterns of two empirical projects, seeking synergies and contradictions and looking for additional insights from new emerging patterns.FindingsOn a philosophical level, we have found that bracketing, as a theoretical construct, is not about the achievement of objectivity; quite to the contrary, it embraces subjectivity and puts it centre-stage. On a theoretical level, we have achieved a better understanding of Husserl's phenomenology, as a theory of mind. On a methodological level, we have achieved a powerful way of supplementing and/or clarifying research findings, by using a theoretical construct as a methodological tool.Originality/valueOur paper contributes to the phenomenology literature at a philosophical, theoretical and methodological level, by offering a better understanding and a novel implementation of one of the central theoretical constructs of phenomenology.

Women on top: the career development journey of Filipina business executives in the Philippines

“…Phenomenological investigation gathers lived experience as evidence from direct personal accounts (Jackson et al, 2018;Moustakas, 1994). Through the process of "epoche," researchers are able to "bracket" or clear one's mind to permit the experience of the phenomenon to emerge from the analysis without prejudgments (Dorfler and Stierand, 2020;Kockelmans, 1967, p. 314;Moustakas, 1994). Thus, using phenomenology as our theoretical lens, we sought responses to the following research questions:…”

“…Through epoche, the researchers consciously examined and bracketed possible prejudgments that may shaped the examination of the data (Dorfler and Stierand, 2020). One of researchers being male was exposed early in life to be part of a family business Career development journey managed by his mother.…”

Systemic Racism in Canadian Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study with Therapists

“…The author group for this paper includes occupational therapists and an outsider to the profession; it includes racialized and indigenous scholars, as well as White settler scholars who experience race-privilege. “Thinking together” allowed a kind of transpersonal reflexivity, making biases and preconceptions explicit rather than attempting to bracket them out ( Dörfler & Stierand, 2021 ).…”

Theory as method: introduction to supertheoretical options for organization and management research

“…Consequently, in this special issue, we also find examples of other theories turned method. These examples include Bourdieu's social theory (van Hilten, 2019), “bracketing” as a phenomenological theory (Dörfler and Stierand, 2020), and institutional work theory (Gidley, 2020). Last not least, one article is devoted to the role of abduction in the self-transformation of theories in the eyes of change (Shadnam, 2020).…”