Alfred Schutz was an Austrian philosopher and sociologist, best known for his work in phenomenology and social theory. Born in 1899, he focused on how individuals perceive and interpret their social world. His ideas emphasized the importance of subjective experiences and the meanings people attach to their actions and interactions. Schutz's most notable contribution is the concept of the "lifeworld," which refers to the everyday experiences and contexts that shape human understanding. He was influenced by the works of Edmund Husserl and later contributed to the development of social phenomenology, impacting fields such as sociology and psychology.