Abstracts » Social sciences

Between constructivism and realism - Searle's theory of the construction of social reality

Article Abstract:

The book 'The Construction of Social Reality' by John Searle is analyzed. Searle advocated the theory that things in the world exist only because these are believed to exist. He developed a hierarchical model of 'modes of existence' which includes delineating various types of worldly circumstances, differentiating between intentional and nonintentional mental facts and distinguishing between singular and collective intentional facts.

Constructivism (Philosophy)

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The analytical study of social ontology: breakthrough or cul-de-sac?

Article Abstract:

The book 'The Construction of Social Reality' by John Searle is analyzed. It is argued that Searle attempts to construct a new ontology of social or institutional reality based on the theories of G.E.M. Anscombe. Searle identifies two 'brute facts' from Anscombe's theories which he uses as the foundation of his ontology. Namely, the independence of brute facts from human thought and the use of these brute facts to create new facts.

Ontology

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Searle's 'The Construction of Social Reality.'(Review Symposium on Searle)

Article Abstract:

The book 'The Construction of Social Reality' by John Searle is analyzed. Searle advocates the theory that self-reference is a puzzle or problem that can be solved. The solution will be to substitute institutional reality with physical reality and show the application of philosophical wisdom on physical reality. He also believes that institutional reality is made possible by language which itself is language-dependent.

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