Methodological Individualism: Mind and Social Reality

Ján Krchňavý

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Bakalárska práca za zaoberá vzťahom medzi mysľou a spoločenskou realitou a rolou mysle pre konštrukciu spoločenskej reality. Tento vzťah je analyzovaný z pohľadu spoločenskej ontológie Johna Searla, amerického filozofa, ktorý sa považuje za zástancu metodologického individualizmu. Cieľom práce je (1) prehodnotiť štandardnú, mentalistickú interpretáciu Searlovej spoločenskej ontológie, ktorá vidí myseľ ako základnú doménu spoločenskej reality; (2) preskúmať kritiky Searlovho prístupu vo vzťahu k proklamovanému nedostatku analýzy spoločenských praktík pre spoločenskú ontológiu; a (3)poskytnúť alternatívnu, na spoločenských praktikách založenú interpretáciu Searlovej teórie. Cieľu práce odpovedá i osnova práce, kedy prvá časť práce poskytuje štandardnú interpretáciu Searlovej spoločenskej ontológie, ktorá je následne kritizovaná z pohľadu alternatívneho prístupu k spoločenskej ontológii založenom na spoločenských praktikách. V záverečnej časti je následne Searlova teória znova nahliadnutá v snahe nájsť prieniky medzi jeho myšlienkami a premisami tzv. practice-based prístupu k spoločenskej realite.

Abstract:

The submitted bachelor thesis is concerned with the relationship between mind and social reality and the role of the mind in the creation of social reality. This relationship is examined from the the perspective of the social ontology of John Searle, an American philosopher who is considered to be the proponent of methodological individualism. This thesis aims to reconsider the standard, mentalistic interpretation of Searle’s social ontology, one that is centred around the primary role of the mind in the construction of social reality, to examine criticisms of such approach which highlight the professed neglect of the role that social practices have for social reality, and to provide an alternative, practice-based reading of Searle’s social ontology. The thesis thus proceeds first by outlining the standard interpretation of Searle’s theory as put forward mainly in his two monographs on social reality. Subsequently, the objections against such an approach from an alternative, practice-based approach, which highlights the role of social practices for the constitution of society, are raised. Following these objections, the Searle’s social ontology is looked at again in an effort to find an alternative interpretation that would bring it closer to the ideas and principles of the practice-based approach, and thereby provide a response to some objections against the missing role of the social practices in his theory as well as open the way for the novel interpretation of his social ontology. Before embarking on the central issue, the thesis enquires into the basic outline of the social ontology and the life and work of John Searle, the introduction of which is indispensable for the apprehension of the central part of the thesis.

Keywords

Social ontology, methodological individualism, John Searle, collective intentionality, construction of social reality, mentalistic approach, practice-based approach

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 17. 7. 2020

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 3. 9. 2020
• Supervisor: Mgr. Josef Menšík, Ph.D.
• Reader: Ing. Jan Jonáš, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Economics and Administration

Bachelor programme / field:
Economics / Economics